LIMA, Ohio — The Lima Locos continued their offensive tear with a dominant 16-4 victory over the Michigan Monarchs on Tuesday night at Simmons Field in a battle of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League’s top teams.

Louisville redshirt freshman Cole Crafton delivered the go-ahead moment in the fourth inning with a towering home run to right-center, giving Lima a lead it wouldn’t surrender. It was the first of many big swings for a Locos lineup that has now scored 13 or more runs in three straight games.

Starting pitcher Evan Shapiro, a 6-foot-7 right-hander, gave the Locos a solid outing with four innings of work, allowing just one earned run while striking out five. One of the game’s defensive highlights came courtesy of Kent State’s Payton Ebbing, who cut down a Monarchs baserunner at third to halt a rally in the top of the fourth.

With the win, Lima improves to 12-6 on the season while Michigan falls to 11-8. The two teams remain among the league’s most dangerous, but for now, the Locos hold the upper hand.

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