Pitcher Jonathan Machamer is one of four players returning from the 2021 season. Machamer was last year’s GLCL’s pitching prospect of the year and was first-team all-GLCL and made the All-Star team. He went 2-1 with a 0.96 ERA and two saves. In 28 innings, he struck out 34.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
LIMA — The Lima Locos ripped off 12 wins in a row to end last year’s regular season.
Then, in the playoffs, the Locos reached the third and deciding game of the best-of-three Great Lakes Collegiate League championship series before falling to the Hamilton Joes.
The Locos return to action at home this week with hopes of adding to their six GLCL titles, with the last one coming in 2019.
The Locos opened on the road Tuesday, with their home opener at 7 p.m. Friday against Michigan. The Locos will play Michigan at home Friday, Saturday and Sunday, all at 7 p.m., as part of a home stand of nine games in a row.
Four players return from last year’s team.
“They got a taste of what the championship is about,” Locos coach Matt Furuto said. “They have a vision of what we’re going to work toward. That experience that they built made them want to come back and work toward getting to the final series.’’
Furuto, from Birmingham, Ala., returns for his third season as head coach of the Locos. He guided the team to the title in 2019.
Furuto also played two years for the Locos and was an assistant coach for the Locos for two years.
“It’s a great experience for them to get to play here,” Furuto said. “I’ll give them ownership of their summer: What they put in, they’ll get out. They’ll get the opportunity to play, and we’ll help them along the way. They’ll have the opportunity to learn to play, make mistakes and put the work in.’’
The Locos finished 28-14 last year, tied for first in the North Division, then dropped the championship series to Hamilton, 2-1.
The four returnees are pitcher Jonathan Machamer (Dayton), pitcher Patrick Dillon (Toledo, catcher Joe Salvo (Samford) and outfielder Jacob Hutchins (Lincoln Trail/Shawnee High School).
Machamer was last year’s GLCL’s pitching prospect of the year and was first-team all-GLCL and made the All-Star team. Machamer went 2-1 with a 0.96 ERA and two saves. In 28 innings, he struck out 34.
For personal reasons, Machamer didn’t pitch this spring.
“We’ll have to build him up, but I think he eventually will be able to do anything,” Furuto said. “He can be good out of the pen, or he can be a starter. We may start him but will limit his innings.
“He was really good for us, and he works hard. I’m glad to have him back on the mound.’’
Salvo made the All-Star team last summer and hit .305. At Samford this spring, he hit .200.
“He’ll be able to lead and direct us,” Furuto said. “He was really good last summer and, defensively, is one of the best in the league.’’
Hutchins hit .197 with one home run last summer coming off an injury at college. He bounced back at Lincoln Trail this spring, hitting .342 with nine home runs and 39 RBI. He hit 12 doubles.
“(Hutchins) is a hard worker, and it paid off at Lincoln Trail,” Furuto said.
Dillon went 2-1 with one save and a 4.70 ERA as a starter and a reliever for the Locos last summer. At Toledo this spring, he was 0-2 with a 4.41 ERA and one save.
“Patrick will be more of a bullpen guy for us,” Furuto said. “He’s ready and wants the ball.’’
Besides Hutchins, the other player from the area is Lourdes infielder Caleb Dugan (Lima Senior), who hit .283 with four doubles and one home run. He had 15 RBI and stole four bases.
Before coming to Dayton, Machamer dominated at Edison State for Edison State coach and former Locos pitcher Scott Jones.
Among three Edison State players on the roster this summer is infielder Clay Jacobs, who hit .345 with seven home runs and 41 RBI. He also stole 22 bases.
Catcher Isaiah Velazco (Glendale Community College, Calif.) batted .434 with two home runs and 24 RBI.
Other hitters with impressive batting averages include catcher Brayden White (Toledo), who hit .250, and infielder Diego Gines (Indiana State), who hit .258 with two homers.
Ty Gill is a sophomore shortstop at Purdue, who was stuck behind a senior last year.
Third baseman Brennen Norton (Jacksonville State) hit .315 with six home runs and 21 RBI.
“Norton was the high school player of the year in Alabama,” Furuto said. “I’m excited about him. He’s a bulldog and hard-nosed.’’
Outfielder Carson Garner (Murray State) hit .260 with five home runs and 23 RBI.
Infielder Jayden Davis (Samford) just graduated from high school and is the Locos’ lone high school graduate/exception on the roster.
“He was one of the top five high school players out of Tennessee and a top recruit for Samford,” Furuto said. “He’s a solid hitter and can swing it.’’
Pitcher Brayden Lybarger (Indiana State/Elida) is coming back from Tommy John elbow surgery last spring. He didn’t pitch this spring but is expected to pitch this summer.
“I’m interested to hear about his rehab, but I hear he is throwing 88 to 90 (mph),” Furuto said. “We’ll move him in slowly.’’
Among the pitchers are Edison State duo Kevin Bellamy (5-1, 4.57) and Jaren Slusher (7-4, 3.63). Slusher struck out 100 in 72 innings.
University of Findlay ace Anthony Kyle (4.16) will join the team in late June.
Joining Dillon from Toledo is pitcher Brennan McCune (2-3, 5.46).
Samford sends two promising pitchers in Dominic Ganley (5.91) and Jacob Newman (6.46).
“The two Samford arms will be pretty good,” Furuto said. “Both were bullpen guys.’’
Hunter Pidek (Oakland) went 4-1 with a 5.94.
“We have younger pitchers with good stuff,” Furuto said.
