LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Lima Locos won the rubber match of their opening-season series against the Flag City Sluggers, defeating their Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League rivals 8-3 on Sunday at Simmons Field.

After the Locos won the opener and the Sluggers responded in Game 2, the deciding game of the three-game set belonged to Lima.

Flag City grabbed the early advantage in the third inning. Drew Tajblik delivered a single to center field that scored Trenten Smith and gave the Sluggers a 1-0 lead.

The visitors added another run moments later when Ty O'Brien lined an RBI single to left, bringing home Tajblik and extending the lead to 2-0.

Lima answered in a big way in the fourth inning.

With two runners on base, Gabe Gonzalez launched a three-run home run to left field, turning a two-run deficit into a 3-2 Locos lead.

The Locos continued to build on that momentum throughout the game.

Wapakoneta graduate Grant Jolly was effective out of the bullpen, recording four strikeouts while helping keep the Sluggers' offense in check.

In the fifth inning, Tyler VanSumeren added to Lima's lead with a base hit to center field that brought home Jin Kasuya.

The Locos continued to add insurance runs and pulled away for an 8-3 victory.

With the win, Lima improves to 2-1 on the young season and takes two of three games from Flag City to open the 2026 campaign.

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