Locos win 12th straight

Jul. 25—LIMA — The Lima Locos' goal was not to get anyone hurt.

The Locos had already clinched a playoff spot and were locked into second place in the North Division of the Great Lakes Collegiate League.

The playoff-bound Locos managed to stay injury free in a 14-0 Locos' seven-inning, run-rule victory over Grand Lake Saturday at Simmons Field.

It was the regular-season finale.

"We were able to save pitchers and now we're ready for the playoffs," Locos coach Matt Furuto said. "There were a lot of good things tonight and a good pitching performance."

The Locos' T.J. Reeves (Jacksonville State) went 2 for 3, two home runs and six RBI. That gives him seven home runs for the year.

The Locos (28-14) scored seven in the third to grab a 7-0 lead.

Reeves hit a three-run home run to left to give the Locos a 3-0 lead. Nate White hit a solo home run to left to make it 4-0.

The Locos added on six runs in the fourth to make it 13-0.

Reeves' second three-run home run of the night, a monster shot past the scoreboard, made it 13-0 in the fourth.

The Locos have won 12 in a row and 17 of their last 19. They were 11-12 on July 1.

The Locos advance to the best-of-three GLCL semifinal series.

Game 1 is at North Division champion Sandusky on Monday. Game 2 is at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at Lima's Simmons Field.

Game 3, if necessary, is at Sandusky on Wednesday.

The Locos felt one key to the second-half surge was chemistry.

"I like that we came together real early and bonded and jelled," Locos outfielder Darryl Buggs said. "It was a matter of getting to know the players and the culture around here. It was beautiful to come together as one.

"We were hanging out after games after baseball and came together as a team. I think chemistry is a big key in baseball, getting to know everybody on a personal level."

Locos outfielder Colton Ledbetter said, "Our chemistry is really good right now. We're having a blast out here. We're trying to win a championship and bring it home. We all really molded together nicely and it helps a lot with having fun on the baseball field."

Putting together a 12-game winning streak will also help keep the season on the fun side.

"Our confidence really helps us stay relaxed," Ledbetter said. "We're not putting any pressure on ourselves. We're just trying to stay relaxed and have fun.

"When we were losing we were kind of in the dumps a little bit. But since we've been winning, we're ready to win the championship. We've already been winning, so why not win the championship why we're here?"

Furuto has liked what he's seen from his team in July.

"It's been the consistency of coming to the yard and having fun," Furuto said. "They've played hard and gotten better each game. ... It'll be a good matchup with Sandusky on Monday. We're in a good spot, good and confident and I think we'll be ready to go."

Casey Thomas (UNOH) started and pitched five shutout innings for the victory. He gave up three hits, struck out four and walked three.

Locos notes: Jose Rijo, the Reds' 1990 World Series MVP, threw out the first ball at the game Saturday. He then stayed to sign autographs on the party deck.

The Locos have reached the playoffs every year since 2010, the team's last losing season.

Locos outfielder Colton Ledbetter (Samford) came into the final day leading the league in hitting at .427. He ranked third in home runs (8) and fifth in RBI (33).

Dylan Freeman (Montevallo), who had started earlier, but is now closing, won the league ERA title with a mark of 1.69 in 37 innings.

Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.