Locos chug ahead for postseason run

XENIA — The Great Lakes Collegiate double-elimination championship tournament can quickly turn into an endurance contest.

In order to navigate around the game-a-day or more schedule, you need a strong bullpen.

That’s been one of the Lima Locos’ strengths this season.

The top-seeded Locos (28-8) meet the No. 6-seed Xenia Scouts (16-19) at 12 p.m. today at Xenia’s Athletes in Action Sports Complex in the opening game of the GLCL postseason tournament.

“We don’t want to change a thing we’ve done all year,” Locos coach Rob Livchak said. “We want to keep playing team baseball and sacrifice yourself to get the runner over. When you’re bell rings out of the bullpen, be ready to go and they’ve done that all year. I can’t wait to see what they can do when they’re really on the big stage.’’

In other games today at Xenia, No. 2-seed Grand Lake (25-10) meets No.5-seed Southern Ohio (18-16) at 3:30 p.m. The No. 3-seed Cincinnati (23-12) will play No. 4-seed Licking County (22-13) at 7 p.m.

The Locos set a team record for wins this year with 28. After a team-record 12-game winning streak, they ended the regular season with a doubleheader loss at Southern Ohio on Sunday.

The Locos finished the season third in the league in hitting (.269), second in team ERA (2.56) and third in fielding percentage (.964).

While the Locos’ starting pitching has been steady, the bullpen has been its strength. After closer Nick Sarianides (1.50 ERA, five saves) signed with the Indians in late June, right-hander Kolby Wood (Michigan) took over as the team’s closer.

The 6-foot-6 Wood compiled a 1.45 ERA with four saves. This was Wood’s first go-around as a closer.

“I pitched a little in the bullpen at school and I’ve started, but I never closed games. I really enjoy it,” Wood said. “This the first time I’ve done it and it’s a lot of fun.

“I was happy for him (Sarianides) and I was happy that I would get a chance to close. It was a matter of getting a chance to try something I had never done before and I’ve enjoyed it.’’

Wood uses a 90-plus mph fastball and a nasty, nose-diving split-finger pitch.

“It’s still not as consistent as I would like (the split finger), but I’ve been able to get some swings and misses with it so hopefully I’ll be able to get it more consistent with practice,’’ Wood said.

The Locos have Brad Long (Kennesaw State) pitching the eighth inning. He has a 1.99 ERA with two saves. Zach Laughlin, Bobby Brosnahan, Patrick Mulligan, Scott Pollock, Jordan Wolfe have all performed well in middle-to-late relief.

The Locos split their four games with Xenia this year. The Locos beat Xenia, 8-7 and 7-6. Xenia beat the Locos, 1-0 and 4-1.

Starting today for the Locos will be right-hander Ajay Meyer (Ashland), who tied a team record with wins at 6-0 with a 1.96 ERA.

Locos first baseman/outfielder Tristan Moore (Wright State) leads the team in hitting at .375. Catcher Danny Jones (Marietta) is batting .355. Outfielder J.D. Ashbrook (Morehead State) is at .319, while shortstop Anthony Toth (Michigan) is at .302.

“The biggest thing with winning that many games is character, showing up to the field every day and never being satisfied,” Jones said.

“We play it day-to-day, but we’re going for the big picture and the whole thing. … That’s the biggest test, can you win the championship? Can you win the whole thing?’’