Locos offense too much for Scouts

By Luke Severt, Xenia Scouts beat writer

 June 13, 2018

XENIA- Truman Brown became the first Scout to hit a home run during the 2018 season on Tuesday night at Grady’s Field in Xenia. Unfortunately, it was a game that he would like to forget, as his team was defeated 24-9 by the defending Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League champion Lima Locos.

Brown, the Scouts’ third baseman, hit a towering fly ball that soared over the left field wall for a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. However, it wasn’t nearly enough, as the Scouts still trailed by nine after the blast.

“It felt pretty good,” said Brown about his home run. “I was just trying to do something big for my team right there. Being down that much, I hated it, but I was just trying to do as much as I could for the team, and drive in a few runs. Luckily, I put the bat on the ball, and hit it pretty well.”

It was one of 14 hits on the night for the Scouts, who had a solid night offensively. To compliment Brown’s big night, designated hitter Ryan Bertelsman again led his team with three hits and three RBI in five at-bats on the night, and he also stole two bases. Shortstop Dugan Darnell went 2-3 with an RBI, while drawing a walk and getting hit by a pitch. Right fielder Carter Boswell had two hits and a stolen base, left fielder Luke Boylson had a single and a double, while catcher Connor Regan had two base hits.

“We had a good night tonight in some ways,” said Scouts manager Bubba Cates. “We had 14 hits, and that’s a high for us. We also scored nine runs, and that’s a high for us too so far.”

While the Scouts offense was strong, the Locos simply could not be stopped at the plate. They totaled 23 hits to accompany their 24 runs. They hit four home runs, including two from catcher Daniel Seres, had eight extra-base hits, and had nine different players tally at least one hit.

“We just couldn’t stop them,” said Cates. “We’ve seen that happen a lot, on both ends. We have been on the offensive side, when the other team wasn’t able to stop us. It’s just one of those funny things about baseball. It seemed like everything they hit they hit hard, and some of those guys had a career night tonight.”

Ben Bills got the start on the mound for the Scouts, and was tasked with facing an opponent tougher than any player in Lima’s lineup: the weather. While it would soon clear up, the top of the first inning was blasted with a heavy rain shower. It had an obvious effect on Bills, as he walked two Locos in the inning before giving up a three-run triple. The next batter used this momentum to break the game open and jump out to a substantial lead before the Scouts had a chance to bat, as he hit a two-run home run, and his team led 5-0 after the top of the first.

“We got off to a rough start there, while it was raining,” said Cates. “We play on turf, and because it’s like that, I think sometimes we’re all hesitant to stop, like we would on a natural surface field. Probably, in situations like that, the best thing to do is to wait thirty minutes and let it get out of here, and let’s play it right. It was hard for our pitcher to get his hand to where he can grip the ball. He ended up walking a few guys, and that’s not him, he’s a strike thrower, and then they get a big hit after that to clear the bases and that makes some trouble. It just didn’t start well.”

The good news for the Scouts is that they will not have to wait long for a shot at redemption. They will play the Locos again on Wednesday night as they not only look to put Tuesday behind them, but will also be vying for their first win of the season.

“We just have to forget about tonight,” said Brown. “We have to come out tomorrow and be ready to play. It’s a tough loss, but we just have to be ready to play tomorrow. That’s what’s good about baseball.”