Locos outslug Jet Box, 15-11

LIMA – Locos right fielder Jake Hutchins made it one memorable day for his dad on Father’s Day.

First, Hutchins’ dad, Dave, was one of the three Locos’ dads who threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Then, Dave watched his son, Jake Hutchins, hit a grand slam and post six RBI to help the Lima Locos to a 15-11 victory over the Jet Box Sunday afternoon at Simmons Field.

Hutchins, a grad of Shawnee High School, went 2 for 4 with a double, a grand slam and six RBI.

“Getting my first home run here (this summer) really meant a lot, especially on Father’s Day in front of the family,” Hutchins said. “It’s special, that father-son relationship in baseball.’’

Hutchins got off to a slow start with the Locos, but picked up two hits on Saturday.

Then, he committed to Niagara on Sunday. Hutchins hit nine home runs for Lincoln Trail Junior College in the spring.

“I think it helped (making the decision to play at to Niagara),” Hutchins said. “In the back of your mind, you wonder where you’re going. I woke up and it was a good feeling to commit there, clear my mind on that and come out and have fun today.

“And yesterday, it broke the ice. After that, I got some confidence and I’m just going to keep it rolling.’’

The Locos led 5-0 after three innings, but Jet Box scored eight in the fourth to take an 8-5 lead.

But Hutchins and company knocked out 13 hits to rally the Locos to the victory.

“Thankfully we are able to hit and battle back,” Locos coach Matt Furuto said. “It definitely wasn’t pretty, but some days the hitters are going to pick up the pitchers and some days the

pitchers are going to pick up the hitters. It was a good team win.’’

The Locos are 8-4. The Jet Box is 5-7.

Also for the Locos, Clay Jacobs (Edison State/Indian Lake) went 2 for 6 with a double and an RBI.

Diego Gines (Indiana State) was 2 for 5 with an RBI.

Jayden Davis (Samford) went 3 for 5 with a home run and one RBI. Davis recently graduated from high school in Tennessee.

“He can swing it,” Furuto said of Davis. “He’s just a ballplayer, the way he steps in and competes.’’

Isaiah Velazco (California) went 2 for 3.

Bryant Herring (Kennesaw State) had a home run and two RBI.

Jacob Newman (Samford) picked up the win in relief and finally slowed down the Jet Box bats.

Newman went 41/3 innings and gave up two runs, both earned, on four hits. He struck out three and walked one.

“Getting four innings from him was huge,” Furuto said. “Even though he gave up two runs, he got us through (until Caden Kline pitched the ninth).’’

The Locos scored a run in the first without a hit.

Josh Mrozek led off with a walk and stole second. He went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a balk by Jet Box starter Rhys Francis.

In the Locos’ third, Hutchins blasted a grand slam well over the left-field fence to mushroom the Locos’ lead to 5-0.

“Right when I hit it, it felt good,” Hutchins said. “I knew it was going to get out.’’

His last grand slam came on senior night at Shawnee High School.

Jet Box knocked out Locos starter Brayden Lybarger (Indiana State/Elida) in the fourth and went on to score eight runs in the inning.

Four runs came off Lybarger and four came off of reliever Grant Reising.

The Locos’ Gines had an RBI single in the fourth to pull Lima within 8-6.

The Locos scored three in the fifth to pull ahead 9-8.

Hutchins’ sacrifice fly got the Locos within 8-7.

Herring hit a two-run home run in the fifth to give the Locos the lead to stay, 9-8.

Davis’ home run gave the Locos a 14-9 lead in the seventh.

Lybarger worked 3 2/3 innings and gave up four runs, all earned, on one hit. He struck out six and walked one.

Lybarger threw 80 pitches, 46 for strikes.

LOCOS NOTES: The Locos head to Muskegon on Tuesday for a four-game series in three days. The Locos return home Friday, Saturday and Sunday against Sandusky.

Outfielder/first baseman Derrick Jackson (Jacksonville State) is expected to join the team on Friday. Jackson played with the Locos last summer and batted .283 with six home runs and 25 RBI. He hit two more home runs in the playoffs last year.

Also expected to join the team on Friday is pitcher Anthony Kyle (Findlay/Perrysburg).