Clippers Swept in Lima

LIMA, OH – As we make our way to the postseason, the Clippers are in a tight battle with division foe Flag City Sluggers for the second spot in the North Division. And after the three-game series with the Lima Locos, Muskegon and Flag City are deadlocked at a 19-19 record each. The second series against the Locos was a tough one for the Clippers as they were only able to produce four runs and fell victim to a Lima sweep.

GAME ONE (FRIDAY)

The series' opener was just a game that got out of hand late, and there wasn't much Muskegon could do about it in the 11-1 loss. With limited pitching and two games left in the weekend series, the Clips were forced to save some of their arms, which resulted in a position player coming on the mound.

It was a competitive contest for the first half of the ball game as Muskegon entered the fifth trailing just 2-0. However, the Locos tacked on a big six-run fifth inning that put the game out of reach.

AJ Park began the game on the mound and was brilliant for four innings but walked a couple of hitters to start the fifth and was relieved by Drew Diehl. Park allowed four runs on five hits and struck out four.

Diehl faced just six batters before giving the ball to Zane Wilson, an outfielder for the Clippers.

Isaiah Domey drove in the lone run for Muskegon in the top of the fifth on a fielder's choice. Dalton Dick did have a nice day at the plate with three hits but was the only bat in the Clippers lineup to produce much offense. Nick Moss and Casey Joppie doubled in the game.

Lima scored three more in the seventh to go up ten runs and take Game One.

GAME TWO (SATURDAY)

Much like on Friday, a position player took the hill, and the Muskegon lineup stalled out. The Clippers were shut out for just the second time this season, 10-0.

Chase Schwierking was the starter in the middle game and didn't have his best start, but certainly not his worst, and was also a tad unlucky on the mound as Muskegon committed two errors throughout the night. Schwierking went 5.2 innings, allowing six runs while striking out two hitters.

Justin St. Antoine took the rubber for the last inning and allowed two runs.

Muskegon tallied just three hits on Saturday and reached third base just twice offensively. Domey, St. Antoine, and Drake Roa were among those who recorded a hit.

GAME THREE (SUNDAY)

Similarly to the first two games, Muskegon was left with not many options out of the bullpen. The Clips dropped the series finale 13-3 before a pivotal final regular season series against the Michigan Monarchs.

Ty Randall was the starter for Muskegon and wasn't able to make it out of the second inning, allowing seven runs, but just two of them were earned. Zane Gregg came to the hill after Randall and provided a solid four innings of work, allowing four runs.

Both Randall and Gregg were tormented by walks and defensive miscues in Game Three.

The offense finally showed some light in the third inning when they posted three runs on the board. Taylor Head drove an RBI single to left field, and Drake Roa followed with a sacrifice fly.

However, that was all Muskegon could muster up on Sunday, while the Locos continued to swing the stick well throughout the night.

Muskegon will now look at the weekend series against the Monarchs, where they host on Saturday. Before then, though, make sure you tune into Flo College for the GLSCL All-Star Game on Tuesday as seven Clippers will put their talents on display.

The Sluggers dropped their series two games to one against the Monarchs this past weekend and will face the Locos in a three-game set after the All-Star break.