Grand Lake offense slowed by Morrison and the Monarchs

Just two days after its best offensive game of the summer, Grand Lake was handcuffed by Lake Erie on Tuesday evening.

The Mariners were shut out for the first six innings before falling to the Monarchs, 6-2, in Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League play at Jim Hoess Field.  

After scoring 19 runs on 22 hits Sunday in Cincinnati, Grand Lake managed just two runs on six hits at home against Lake Erie.

Monarchs starter Billy Morrison was impressive in his second start of the summer, going seven innings allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits with four strikeouts.

"The big difference between tonight and on Sunday is that we faced a much better pitcher tonight," admitted Grand Lake second-year manager Scott French. "That guy was pretty good, he kept the ball low in the zone and was able to get a ground ball when he needed to (Lake Erie turned two double plays in the game). He's going to get a lot of guys out in this league. You're not going to always hit like we hit on Sunday."

Lake Erie held a commanding 5-0 lead before Grand Lake was able to dent the scoreboard.

Grand Lake starting pitcher Alex Watson went the first six frames for the Mariners allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits while not getting much help from his defense, which committed five errors in the contest.

"Up until tonight, we've been playing very good defense thus far," said French. "It was not a very tight ball game for us at all. It was loose all the way around. Loose at-bats, loose defensively ... just kind of lackadaisical."

The Mariners scored both of their runs in the seventh inning when Brooks Hunton had a two-run single scoring Derek Martin and Dock Doyle.

Monarchs reliever Joe Kohler slammed the door for Lake Erie with two perfect innings to preserve the win for Morrison.

Grand Lake is now 0-2 at home this summer in GLSCL play which is cause for concern for French.

"It's a big concern for us right now," said French. "Our club needs to be able to win games in the bigger ball parks in this league. We haven't won a game in a bigger ball park yet (0-2 at home, 0-1 at Licking County). We have to be able to put the ball into play more when we have runners on and be able to play small ball and not just rely on a double or home run."

The Mariners will try for their first home win tonight as Grand Lake welcomes Licking County to Jim Hoess Field for a 7:15 p.m. start.

NOTE - The GLSCL announced its first honors for Player and Pitcher of the Week. Anderson shortstop Danny Gonzales was the Player of the Week after hitting .400 with five doubles a triple and six RBI. Delaware's Jay Jackson was the Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 in 92/3 innings of work while striking out 10. Jackson threw a no-hitter against Xenia to highlight the first week of action in the GLSCL.