LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Lima Locos were unable to replicate their opening-night comeback magic as the Flag City Sluggers earned a 2-0 victory in the Locos' home opener at Simmons Field.

After falling to Lima on opening night, the Sluggers bounced back behind a strong pitching performance and timely offense.

Flag City broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. Jimmy LaForce scored on a walk to give the Sluggers a 1-0 lead.

Later in the inning, the next batter grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, but another run crossed the plate, extending the advantage to 2-0.

That was more than enough support for starting pitcher Jackson Urenovitch, who kept the Locos' lineup quiet throughout the evening. The right-hander recorded two strikeouts in the fifth inning and finished with six shutout innings.

Lima received a solid relief outing from Wapakoneta graduate Taylor Echols, who struck out a batter looking during a scoreless sixth inning to keep the deficit at two.

The Locos threatened in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on base, but Flag City reliever Aidan Murphy shut the door. Murphy struck out two batters in the inning to secure the save and preserve the shutout.

Flag City improved to 1-1 on the season with the 2-0 victory, while Lima suffered its first loss of the young GLSCL campaign.

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