LIMA – Elida product Brayden Lybarger took several steps forward in his comeback from Tommy John elbow surgery.
Lybarger’s night was encouraging and a big plus for the Lima Locos.
But in spite of Lybarger’s outing, Michigan posted an 11-4 victory over the Locos Sunday night at Simmons Field.
“It was good to see him come back and he was excited,” Locos coach Matt Furuto said of Lybarger. “He struggled just a little bit in the beginning, but then he really settled in and I’m looking forward to him being out there again. I think he’s going to be really good once he gets comfortable and confident.’’
The game was tied at 4 in the seventh inning, when Michigan pushed across six runs to grab a 10-4 lead.
Michigan’s Henry Brown (Indiana State) knocked a two-run home run to left to give Michigan a 6-4 lead.
The Michigan Monarchs (4-2) and the Locos (4-2) are tied for first place in the North Division of the Great Lakes Collegiate League.
Michigan won the three-game series over Lima, 2-1.
Right-hander Lybarger (Indiana State/Elida) started for the Locos. It was his second appearance of the season, after picking up a one-inning save at Sandusky on Wednesday.
Lybarger didn’t pitch this spring after undergoing Tommy John surgery on May 11, 2021.
“It feels good to get my first start after a year and a half from surgery,” Lybarger said. “I’m glad to be back, especially for the hometown.’’
Lybarger, who was throwing 89-90 mph on Sunday, gave up two unearned runs in the first, as Michigan took a 2-0 lead.
Joe Kido scored from third on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Michigan.
Sandyn Cuthrell’s RBI fielder’s choice groundout scored Tyler Nelson to make it 2-0 Monarchs.
“I’m still coming back a little bit,” Lybarger said. “It feels a little different. My mechanics have changed because of the difference in my arm. It’s still a little bit of a learning process with finding the new mechanics and getting in a groove with how it goes now.’’
Michigan started the second inning with back-to-back singles.
Lybarger then struck out the next three hitters and they were 1-2-3 in the Monarchs’ batting order.
Lybarger retired the side 1-2-3 in the third with one strikeout.
“I have a little bit difference in my grips because I can’t quite do everything the same like I did before,’’ Lybarger said. “There’s a bunch of things I’m tweaking right now.’’
Lybarger went three innings in his comeback start. He gave up two runs, both unearned, on two hits. He struck out six and walked one.
Lybarger threw 61 pitches, 40 for strikes.
“I’m happy to be back and my elbow feels very good,” Lybarger said. “It’s weird not having any pain anymore.’’
Overall, he liked hitting 90 mph, but is hoping for more velocity and movement in the future.
“It’s still a lot slower and nowhere near what I was throwing before,” Lybarger said. “I’ve got a lot to work on. And the breaking ball isn’t moving anywhere as much as it did before. But it’s something I can build on.”
The Locos put four on the board in the third when Diego Gines (Indiana State) hit a grand slam to left in the third.
That gave the Locos a 4-2 lead.
Michigan scored two in the fourth to tie the game at 4.
In the seventh with two out, Michigan’s Ian Francis was hit by a pitch. Brown followed with a two-run home run deep in the Locos’ bullpen to left. That gave Michigan a 6-4 lead.
Michigan was far from done with two outs in the seventh. Nelson’s two-run single kicked the lead to 8-4. Kido scored on a wild pitch and it was 9-4. Camden Colman’s RBI single made it 10-4.
Locos notes: The Locos are off today and will start at three-game home series with Royal Oak at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Simmons Field.
Indiana State pitching coach Justin Hancock, from Defiance, was on hand to watch his Indiana State players, including Lybarger.
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