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Box Score:

http://greatlakesscbl.wttbaseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=440464

FLAT ROCK, MI: The Lima Locos scored four runs over the last three innings, doing just enough to get by the Lake Erie Monarchs, 5-4, on Thursday Night at Flat Rock Field in the series opener.

Jaxon Shirley’s RBI single and a subsequent fielding error by Keegan Watson in right field during the seventh inning enabled Justin Wiley and Malik Spratling to score and put the Locos in the lead, 3-2.

Shirley and Daniel Seres had run-producing hits off Monarchs LHP Evan Flohr in the ninth to extend that lead to three runs.

Flohr (2-3) surrendered four runs (three earned) over three stanzas, yielding seven hits and collecting five strikeouts.

Lima got on the board right away in the first inning. Michael Diffley, Cade Beloso, and Brad Croy strung together three consecutive singles to force a run in off LHP Jonathan Fincher and take an early 1-0 advantage.

Fincher was masterful in his start. Despite not factoring in the decision, he spread out six hits, a walk, and just the one earned run while punching out seven Locos hitters over six frames.

The Monarchs took their first lead in the bottom of the third. After Caleb Balgaard drew a leadoff walk against RHP Tyler Miller, Will Prater legged out an infield bunt single and forced a high throw from Seres. Balgaard would score on the play and Prater got all the way around to third. Alex Lambeau then singled him in to make it 2-1 Monarchs after three.

Miller (3-1) allowed just one earned run, four hits, and two walks while fanning ten over a season-high seven-inning outing.

The bottom of the ninth got way more interesting than the Locos would have liked. Down 5-2, a walk drawn by Andrew Dyke and singles from Balgaard and Prater loaded the sacks with one out against Lima RHP Jordan Marks. Lambeau doubled into the left-field corner to easily plate Dyke and Balgaard to trim the deficit to 5-4. However, a 7-6-2-5 double play resulted when Prater was gunned down at the plate. Catcher Daniel Seres was then able to get Lambeau trying to turn a double into a triple, abruptly ending the ballgame and ensuring Lima’s victory.

Next Up: The Monarchs end the season series against the Locos on Friday night at Flat Rock Field. First pitch will be an hour later than normal at 8:05 p.m.

To keep up to date with your favorite baseball team, visit the Monarchs official website: http://lakeeriemonarchs.com . Be sure to follow the Monarchs on Twitter: @GLL_Monarchs, and on Facebook: /lakeeriemonarchs/.