The Lima Locos’ Jayden Davis slides safely into home against the Royal Oak Leprechauns’ Joe Toth during Wednesday night’s game at Simmons Field. See more Locos photos at LimaScores.com.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
LIMA – The Locos’ bats came back to life.
After being shut out by Royal Oak on Tuesday, the Locos came through with some timely hitting on Wednesday. The Locos bumped off Royal Oak 10-3 in a Great Lakes Collegiate League game at Simmons Field.
The Locos are 5-3. Royal Oak is 3-5.
The Locos knocked out nine hits on the night, including five doubles.
“We had some key hits and had better at-bats,” Locos coach Matt Furuto said. “We were able to string some quality at-bats together and were able to score those runs. Yesterday we weren’t able to string it together. … We were also able to make the adjustment and go the other way (with hits).’’
Brennen Norton (Jacksonville State) was 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBI.
Locos second baseman Jayden Davis, a recent high school grad from Tennessee, went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI in his Locos’ debut.
Davis is an all-state player from Cookeville, Tenn. He’s headed to Samford in the fall.
He arrived in Lima on Monday.
“I was nervous for sure, but I was excited to get out here and play with these guys,” Davis said. “I watched the game last night and got to see how fast the game is and how these boys play. It’s really good out here.’’
Furuto said, “I was excited for him (Davis). It’s probably a little intimidating playing with college guys but I think he’s going to be really good. It was a good first day for him.’’
Ty Gill (Purdue) went 1 for 3 with two stolen bases and an RBI.
Also with doubles for the Locos were Cade Sadler (Murray State) and Brayden White (Toledo).
Royal Oak took a 1-0 lead in the first. The Locos tied the game at 1 in the third.
The Locos pushed across three in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. Lima would hold that lead the rest of the night.
Locos right-hander Patrick Dillon (Toledo/Findlay High School) threw 2 1/3 shutout, no-hit innings to pick up the victory in relief. He struck out four and walked none.
“I’m being more consistent (since pitching for the Locos last summer) and this spring at Toledo really helped me find more consistency in my pitches. And confidence from everyone around me gave me confidence.’’
Furuto said, “He’s (Dillon) been great in his three outings. It’s good to have him back and we can trust him.’’
In the first, Royal Oak’s Chase Franken doubled and came home on a parachute RBI single to center by Reese Trahey.
That gave the Leprechauns 1-0 lead.
In the home third, Gill walked and stole second and third. Gill score on an RBI groundout to short by Norton.
“He (Gill) can do a lot of good things,” Furuto said. “He gives us a way to get guys in scoring position. And he does a great job playing short.’’
That tied the game at 1 and broke the Locos’ 17-straight scoreless innings streak.
In the Locos’ fourth, Jake Hutchins walked and Davis singled to right.
“It felt really good to get that first base knock of the year,” Davis said.
Gill’s RBI single to right gave the Locos a 2-1 lead.
Davis scored from third on a wild pitch to make it 3-1.
Norton’s RBI single to center gave the Locos a 4-1 lead.
Royal Oak got within 4-2 on an RBI groundout to second by Connor McClennen in the fifth.
The Locos kicked the lead to 6-2 in the fifth on a two-run double to right by Davis.
“I was just trying to put the ball in play and put it in the outfield somewhere and it worked out,” Davis said.
The Locos added three in the sixth to make it 9-2. In the inning, Cade Sadler had an RBI double.
Locos starter right-hander Jaren Slusher (Edison State) went 4 2/3 innings and gave up two runs, both earned, on four hits. He struck out four and walked two.
Slusher threw 79 pitches, 47 for strikes.
Locos notes: The Locos conclude their three-game series with Royal Oak at 7 p.m. tonight at Simmons Field. The Locos are home Friday, Saturday and Sunday against Jet Box. Sunday’s game will start at 5 p.m.
Through seven games, the Locos are hitting .241, which ranks third in the league. The team ERA is 4.43, which ranks sixth.
Isaiah Velazco (California) and Ty Gill (Purdue) are tied for the team lead in hitting at .333. Carson Garner (Murray State) is hitting .304.
Diego Gines (Indiana State), who is hitting .273, has two home runs and six RBI.
Garner has three doubles. Gill has six stolen bases.
Carter Doorn (Purdue) is 0-1 with a 0.90 ERA. In 10 innings, he has 11 strikeouts.
