Sluggers fall out of playoff contention after loss to Locos

LIMA – The Lima Locos took advantage of early opportunities and added two clutch two-out rallies later in the game in beating Flag City 11-1 on Friday in a Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League game at Simmons Field.The loss, coupled with Muskegon's 2-0 victory over the Michigan Monarchs, knocked Flag City out of the GLSCL playoffs. Even if Muskegon should lose and Flag City win today's final regular games and end up tied in the North Division standings, Muskegon would advance to Monday's playoff opener against Lima because the Clippers won four of six head-to-head games with Flag City.Lima loaded the bases in the bottom of the second inning, then scored three runs without benefit of a base hit. A beaned batter, a bases-loaded walk and a ground out produced a 3-0 Lima lead.The Locos never looked back. When a two-out error kept the fifth inning alive, Braylon Cordonnier and Desmond Francis delivered two-run singles to boost Lima's lead 6-1. An inning later, Grant McGuire belted a two-out two-run home run to make it 9-1, and two runs in the seventh allowed the Locos (31-10), who were beaten 12-2 by the Sluggers on Thursday, to run-rule Flag City on Friday.Flag City (20-21) got on the board in the fourth inning on Andrew Tucker's solo home run to left, It was one of just three hits given up by Locos' pitchers Carson Klausing, Michael Strickland and Callaghan O'Connor.In Muskegon's 2-0 win over the Monarchs, Clippers' pitchers Brady Young (6-2/3 innings) and Sam Briggs combined on a one-hit shutout. Muskegon also had just one hit, but used two walks, a sacrifice and an error top plate two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Flag City 000 100 0—1 3 3Lima 030 042 2—11 9 0WP--Klausing (1-0). LP—Ottenbacher (0-2). TOP HITTERS: (FC) Tucker HR, RBI. (LL) Owens 1B, 2 RBI; McGuire 1B, HR, 2 RBI; Miranda 2-1B; Cordonnier 1B, 2 RBI; Francis 1B, 2 RBI; Biggs 1B, 2 RBI. Legion baseballLANCASTER– Findlay's American Legion baseball team had its 2026 season come to an end on Friday when the Post 3 squad fell 6-4 to Lancaster in a play-in game at the Senior Division state tournament at Beavers Field in Lancaster.Lancaster advances to today's second-round game where it will face the winner of Friday's late game between Sidney and Beverly-Lowell. AD noticeFINDLAY – Area athletic directors are asked to submit, as soon as possible, football picture dates for the 2026 season. Information should be sent to sports@thecourier.com.