Locos notebook: Locos open series against Hamilton with win

MASON — On Tuesday night at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio, 10 different Locos made an appearance in the GLSCL All-Star Game on the Blue Team in an 11-8 victory over the Red Team.

Members of the Locos, Hamilton Joes and Michigan Monarchs formed the Blue Team, while players from the Xenia Scouts, South Ohio Coppperheads, Grand Lake Mariners and Muskegon Clippers made up the Red Team.

Cam Gilkerson, a first baseman for the Hamilton Joes, took home the MVP award after going 3 for 4 with a double, a home run off the scoreboard that displayed his image and five runs batted in.

For the Locos, seven different position players accounted for five of the Blue Team’s 17 hits.

Blake Bowen (University of Akron) got the start at third base, batted third in the order and went 2 for 2 with two walks, one run batted in and three runs scored.

“It’s always a good thing to be named one of the best players in the league,” Bowen said. “It’s been a pleasure to play with these guys and against them. This is something that shows me that my hard work has paid off. Being a starter and batting at the top of the order on this team is a really good achievement for me.”

Landon Tate (Kennesaw State University) started next to Bowen as he always does at shortstop. The 6-1 native of Bishop, Georgia went 0 for 2 on the night but recorded one RBI on a sacrifice fly and gunned down a runner at the plate in the second inning.

Liam Richards (Yavapai College) went 1 for 2 off the bench with a screaming double to left field in the ninth inning. Lou Fujiwara (transfer portal) also entered the game as a reserve and went 2 for 2 with a pair of hard-hit singles.

“It was a great day for our team. I think we represented Lima really well,” Fujiwara said. “We played with great players and had a lot of fun doing it so that definitely makes it a good day.”

Outfielders Brooks Wright (University of Louisiana Lafayette), Sebastian Alexander (Coastal Carolina University) and second baseman Justin Gorski (Miami University) also saw some limited action late in the game.

Drew Kirby (University of Louisiana Lafayette), Thomas Howard (transfer portal) and Matteo Pare (Pensacola State College) were three of 10 different pitchers to throw an inning on the Blue Team.

Kirby was the first to see the mound in the fourth and he worked a 1-2-3 frame with two strikeouts. Despite feeling a little off, Kirby was in awe of his surroundings at the All-Star Game.

“My arm didn’t feel that great, but I was just throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count,” Kirby said. “This is definitely the nicest field I’ve ever played on. The surface is crazy and the atmosphere was great here with all the fans. “

Howard and Pare pitched back-to-back innings in the sixth and seventh. Howard struck out two hitters while working around two unearned runs and Pare allowed two earned runs on a home run to the right field seats by Justin Osterhouse of the Muskegon Clippers.

Top performers

GLSCL All-Star Game: Blue Team 11, Red Team 8

• Blake Bowen (University of Akron) started at third base and had two hits, including a double.

• Drew Kirby (University of Louisiana Lafayette) pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

• Lou Fujiwara (transfer portal) had two hits off the bench.

Lima Locos 6, Hamilton Joes 1

• Blake Bowen (University of Akron) went 2 for 5 and drove in a run in the win.

• Griffin Howe (St Johns River State College) picked up the win after throwing four innings of one-hit ball.

• Brice Estep (Coastal Carolina University) hit a solo homer in the third inning.

GLSCL STANDINGS

Team`Record

Hamilton Joes`22-9

Lima Locos`19-12

Muskegon Clippers`18-13

Xenia Scouts`16-18

Michigan Monarchs`14-17

South Ohio Copperheads`13-20

Grand Lake Mariners`9-22

RESULTS AND SCHEDULE

Saturday

Xenia Scouts 15, Grand Lake Mariners 5

South Ohio Copperheads 13, Michigan Monarchs 7

Muskegon Clippers 3, Hamilton Joes 2

Sunday

Muskegon Clippers 11, Hamilton Joes 1

Michigan Monarchs 4, South Ohio Copperheads 3

Xenia Scouts 18, Grand Lake Mariners 2

Tuesday

GLSCL All-Star Game

Blue Team 11, Red Team 8

Thursday

Lima Locos 6, Hamilton Joes 1

Michigan Monarchs 10, Grand Lake Mariners 5

Xenia Scouts 4, Muskegon Clippers 3

Friday

Games ended after The Lima News deadline. Find scores, game stories, photos and more on LimaScores.com.

Hamilton Joes at Lima Locos, 7:05 p.m.

Muskegon Clippers at Xenia Scouts, 7:05 p.m.

Michigan Monarchs at Grand Lake Mariners, 6:35 p.m.

Saturday

Lima Locos at Hamilton Joes, 7:05 p.m.

Michigan Monarchs at Grand Lake Mariners, 6:35 p.m.

Muskegon Clippers at Xenia Scouts, 4:05 p.m.

Monday, July 22

Lima Locos at Grand Lake Mariners, 6:35 p.m.

Muskegon Clippers at Michigan Monarchs, 7:05 p.m.

Hamilton Joes at South Ohio Copperheads, 7:05 p.m.

Tuesday, July 23

Grand Lake Mariners at Lima Locos, 7:05 p.m.

Michigan Monarchs at Muskegon Clippers, 7:05 p.m.

South Ohio Copperheads at Hamilton Joes, 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday, July 24

Grand Lake Mariners at Lima Locos, 7:05 p.m.

Hamilton Joes at South Ohio Copperheads, 7:05 p.m.

Muskegon Clippers at Michigan Monarchs, 7:05 p.m.