By KEVIN WANNEMACHER

DHI Correspondent

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HAVILAND – Jefferson got off to a slow start in Tuesday’s non-league baseball game at Wayne Trace as the Wildcats gave up five unearned runs in the bottom of the first.

However, Jefferson rallied to take a 6-5 lead entering the home half of the seventh only to see the host Raiders answer and walk off with a 7-6 victory.

 

By KEVIN WANNEMACHER

DHI Correspondent

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HAVILAND – Jefferson got off to a slow start in Tuesday’s non-league baseball game at Wayne Trace as the Wildcats gave up five unearned runs in the bottom of the first.

However, Jefferson rallied to take a 6-5 lead entering the home half of the seventh only to see the host Raiders answer and walk off with a 7-6 victory.

After shutting down the Wildcats to open the game, Wayne Trace quickly took the lead in the bottom of the inning. Cade Harvey singled to center to start the rally before a Colby Speice single put runners at first and second. T.J. Blackmore reached on an error to load the bases before Jordan Herron retired cleanup hitter Aaron Stoller on a pop-up to shortstop Ross Thompson. Herron got Jacob Dingus to ground out, scoring Harvey, before hitting Raider starting pitcher Marcus McVay to again load the bases with two outs.

Centerfielder Caleb Mead followed with a double to plate both Speice and Blackmore in widening the lead to 3-0. Jared Sherry added a 2-run single that scored McVay and Mead for a 5-0 Raider advantage. Herron then escaped further damage as Thompson threw out Raider second baseman Zach Mansfield on a bang-bang play at first.

“We didn’t come out ready to play,” noted Jefferson head coach Doug Geary. “We gave them five outs in the first inning and we didn’t make adjustments like we needed to. We had some pitches that stayed up and they took advantage.”

After neither team threatened in the second or third, the Wildcats cut into the deficit in the fourth. Zach Ricker and Austin Jettinghoff drew walks to start the inning before a fly-out by Drew Kortokrax moved Ricker to third. Herron then reached on a Raider error that moved Jettinghoff to third and scored Ricker to make it 5-1. Zavier Buzard followed with a run-scoring double that plated Jettinghoff and got the Wildcats within 5-2 and end McVay’s night on the mound.

Herron scored on a wild pitch to pull Jefferson, which falls to 13-10, within 5-3 before Seth Wollenhaupt was hit by a pitch to put runners at the corners. Speice, though, ended the rally by snagging a line drive up the middle off the bat of Gage Townsend-Schleeter and doubled up Wollenhaupt off of first.

Jefferson tied the game in the fifth. With one out, Thompson singled and Ricker walked before a Jettinghoff pop-up was the second out. Thompson then scored on a passed ball and Kortokrax followed with an RBI triple that knotted the game at 5-5.

“The guys did a good job of battling back and making plays there in the middle of the game,” Geary continued. “But we also left some runners on in key situations and didn’t take advantage of opportunities. Those are the things you want to be doing heading into tournament.”

The Wildcats took the lead in the sixth. Buzard led off with a single, stole second and moved to third on a bunt single by Wollenhaupt. Buzard then scored on a passed ball to put the red and white on top 7-6. With Wollenhaupt on third and no outs, Jefferson failed to take advantage. Speice retired the next three Wildcat hitters to keep the Raiders within 6-5.

Delphos again had a chance to widen the lead in the seventh, getting a Jettinghoff double with one out. Speice got Kortokrax to ground out to second before striking out Herron to keep it 6-5.

Wayne Trace then rallied in the seventh. Harvey led off with a single before a Speice single put runners at first and second. Blackmore followed with a run-scoring double to knot the game at 6-6. After Stoller was intentionally walked, Dingus then drew a game-ending walk to score Speice and give the Raiders a 7-6 win.

“You have to give them credit,” Geary concluded. “Their top of the order came up and did what they had to do.”

Speice got the win on the hill for the Raiders, pitching 3 1/3 innings in relief. The junior hurler allowed five hits and three runs while fanning three and walking one. Speice and Sherry each had two doubles and a single for Wayne Trace, which moves to 7-13, and Harvey added a pair of singles. Mead and Blackmore posted a double each.

Tyler Rice suffered the loss, giving up four hits, two runs and two walks with two strikeouts. Kortokrax also saw action on the hill, fanning three and allowing one hit in two innings of work. Herron surrendered five hits and five unearned runs along with a walk. Buzard recorded a single and a double with Kortokrax adding a triple and Jettinghoff chipping in a double. Thompson and Wollenhaupt also posted a single apiece.

Jefferson hosts Ada Thursday.

By Charlie Warnimont

DHI Correspondent

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MILLER CITY — A stiff wind blowing in towards homeplate Tuesday afternoon forced hitters to take a different approach at the plate.

Miller City’s approach was to put the ball in play as much as possible and have Ottoville make plays. Fortunately for the Wildcats the Big Green didn’t have one of their better defensive games on Tuesday.

The Big Green committed seven errors on defense and combined with the Wildcats 10 base hits Miller City laid claim to at least a share of the Putnam County League with a 12-2, five-inning, win over the Big Green. The title share is the Wildcats first since the 2009 season.

 

By JIM METCALFE

jmetcalfe@delphosherald.com

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DELPHOS — Parkway put together a four-run sixth inning to rally past host St. John’s 9-5 in Midwest Athletic Conference baseball action on a breezy Tuesday afternoon at Stadium Park.

 

Knights score in 12th to sneak past Wildcats

By JIM METCALFE

jmetcalfe@delphosherald.com

CONVOY — Monday afternoon/evening was almost a perfect time for baseball at the Crestview Sports Complex, with comfortable temperatures and the sun peaking out later.

Jefferson and Crestview played one for the ages, going 12 innings in a Northwest Conference struggle.

In the end, Crestview played small-ball to perfection in the last of the 12th, scoring with one down to grab a 4-3 dandy.

Cam Etzler (2-for-5, 1 run) led off their half-frame against Jefferson reliever Zach Ricker (3-3; 4 1/3 innings, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 1 base-on-balls, 4 strikeouts) with a free pass, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice by Venice Roberts and scored on lefty-swinging Jordan Roop’s ground ball to shortstop, beating Ross Thompson’s throw home to catcher Austin Jettinghoff.

The run gave southpaw Damian Helm, the third Crestview hurler, the win (5-0; 2 IPs, 2 hits, 2 Ks). Isaiah Simerman (4-plus IPs, 3 hits, 3 earned runs, 3 BBs, 5 Ks) and Roberts (6-plus IPs, 2 hits, 1 BB, 2 Ks) combined to limit the Wildcats (13-9, 2-6 NWC) to four hits in the first 10 frames.

Thompson (10 hits, 3 runs, 1 earned, 3 Ks) held down the Knights (12-3, 8-0 NWC) for the first seven innings.

Drew Kortokrax had the only multi-hit night at the plate for the Wildcats, going 2-for-5.

Besides Etzler, other Knights with multiple hits were Nate Owens (3-for-5, 1 runs, 1 run batted in), Simerman (2-for-6, 1 RBI), Helm (2-for-6), Bryce Richardson (2-for-6) and Jake Harmon (2-for-6, 1 run).

Both teams return to action tonight: Jefferson at Wayne Trace, Crestview at Ayersville.

Crestview hosts Bath Wednesday and Jefferson hosts Ada Thursday.

Score by Innings:

Jefferson 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 3 6 3

Crestview 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 4 14 2

1 out in the 12th when winning run scored

WP: Damian Helm (5-0); LP: Zach Ricker (3-3). Zavier Buzard (D), Damian Helm (C), Nate Owens (C). 3B: Drew Kortokrax (D), Nate Owens (C).

(Longer article and box in Wednesday’s paper).

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Lady Knights battle past Jefferson

CONVOY — Jefferson’s fast-pitch softball unit went toe-to-toe with defending Division IV State champion Crestview Monday night at Crestview Sports Complex before succumbing 5-2 in Northwest Conference action.

The Lady Knights (12-7) out-hit the Wildcats (0-13, 0-8 NWC) 7-4. Brooke Bowen went 2-for-4 for the hosts.

Kamie Pulford had the only multi-hit game got Jefferson, going 2-for-3.

Crestview visits Coldwater tonight and hosts LCC Thursday.

Jefferson is slated to host Ada Thursday.

Score by Innings:

Jefferson 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 - 2 4 3

Crestview 0 3 0 0 1 1 x - 4 7 0

(Longer article and box in Wednesday’s paper).

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Bath downs Musketeers in track dual

BATH TOWNSHIP — Bath won both ends of its track and field dual with Fort Jennings Monday night at Bath High Scool.

On the girls side, the Wildkittens defeated the Lady Musketeers 76-56, while the Bath boys grabbed a 92-42 victory.

Fort Jennings is in the Putnam County League meet 4:30 p.m. Friday.

(Full results in Wednesday’s paper).

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Farmer shuts out Pirates in NWC baseball

BLUFFTON — Lincolnview’s Eli Farmer tossed a complete-game shutout at Bluffton Monday night, leading the Lancers to a 7-0 Northwest Conference victory.

Farmer (4-2) got help from the likes of Kyle Williams (2-for-4, triple, 1 run batted in), Derek Youtsey (2-for-4, 2 RBIs), Nick Leeth (1-for-3, 2 runs, 1 steal), Matt Oechsle (2 runs, 1 RBI), Austin Leeth and Derek Friesner (1-for-3), Troy Patterson (1 run) and Conner McCleery (1 RBI).

“Eli has been what we were expecting him to be this year. He continues to work the strike zone; he had a few more walks tonight than I think he wanted but was able to work out of it and let his teammates work for him,” Lancer coach Kevin Longstreth noted. “This was a good conference team we played and is a solid win for us. Hopefully, our hitters continue to work on what we have been teaching all year and trust the approach we are trying to have at the plate. Some of our players are starting to see the results and continue to build on good at-bats.”

Lincolnview (7-10, 3-4 NWC) visits Continental today and hosts Columbus Grove Thursday.

Score by Innings:

Lincolnview 1 0 3 0 1 2 0 - 7

Bluffton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0

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Lady Bearcats best Bulldogs in softball

ADA — The Spencerville varsity softball team defeated Ada 9-6 Monday in a Northwest Conference matchup at Veterans Park.

Alex Shumate got the win on the mound for the Bearcats, pitching seven innings, giving up 11 hits, six runs (5 earned) and walking two, striking out eight.

Amburgey took the loss for the Bulldogs, also going the distance (15 hits, 9 runs, 4 walks, 4 batters).

Leading hitters for Spencerville were Shumate (2-for-4) with a 3-run home run, Alyssa Mulholland (3-for-4, 2 runs, 1 run batted in), Tori Johnston (2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI), Haleigh Mull (2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI), Mackenzie Ringwald (2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI), Hanna Keller (2-for-4) and Caitlyn Propst (2-for-4, 1 RBI).

Leading hitters for Ada were Amburgey (2-for-3), Windie (2-for-4), Sumner (3-for-4) and Gonzaga (2-for-4).

Ada falls to 3-13 while Spencerville improves to 4-12 (3-2 in the NWC).

Spencerville hosts Allen East Thursday.

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Elida’s Brown, Black combine to shut down Lady Raiders

ELIDA — Elida’s Aryanna Brown and Michaela Black combined for a 3-hitter as the Lady Bulldogs bested Wayne Trace 9-2 Monday afternoon at Dorothy Edwards Field.

Brown (4-5) went four innings and Black three, combining for eight strikeouts and no earned runs.

Ericka Smith led the ’Dawgs (10-9) with two hits and two runs batted in.

Wayne Trace fell to 7-6.

Elida hosts Bath tonight and Perry Friday.

Score by Innings:

W. Trace 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 2 3 4

Elida 0 1 3 1 1 0 x - 6 9 3

WP: Aryanna Brown (4-5); LP: Young. 2B: Wayne Trace (Stabler), Elida (Sabrina Kline, Jenna Halpern). RBIs: Wayne Trace (Stabler), Elida (Ericka Smith 2, Caitlin Schroyer, Sabrina Kline). Multiple hits: Elida (Kylee Makin 2, Ericka Smith 2, Jenna Halpern 2, Sabrina Kline 2).

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Grove baseballers ride Jones past Thunderbirds

COLUMBUS GROVE — The battle for the Northwest Conference baseball title is still alive thanks to the Columbus Grove Bulldogs, who eliminated the Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds 6-0 Monday night at Grove.

Elisha Jones pitched a masterful game for the host Bulldogs (16-3, 5-1 NWC), tossing a 5-hit shutout while striking out eight and walking one.

He outdueled Thunderbird ace Nick Watkins (4 hits, 6 runs, 3 earned, 3 Ks, 4 BBs).

Brady Schroeder drilled a 3-run home run in the first inning to help set the tone for the hosts.

LCC hosts St. John’s in a makeup game Wednesday. Grove is slated to battle Lincolnview on the road Thursday.

(Longer article and box in Wednesday’s paper).

Score by Innings:

Lima CC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 4 3

Col. Grove 3 0 0 3 0 0 x - 6 4 0

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Lady T-Birds knock off Grove in NWC softball

COLUMBUS GROVE — Lima Central Catholic’s Meredith Shepherd outdueled Columbus Grove’s Bobbi Heckel for a 6-4 Northwest Conference fast-pitch softball triumph Monday at Columbus Grove.

Heckel (11-5) went the distance (7 hits, 6 runs, 5 earned, 3 BBs, 5 Ks), as did Shepherd (7 hits, 4 runs, 2 earned, 1 BB, 7 Ks).

Deanna Kleman (2-for-3, 1 run, 1 run batted in) was the leader for the Bulldogs (13-5, 4-2 NWC).

Sydney Santaguida went 2-for-3 (2 runs) for the Lady Thunderbirds, while Verhoff had two RBIs and scored a run.

Grove hosts Kalida Wednesday.

Score by Innings:

Lima CC 0 0 0 1 1 3 1 - 6 7 4

Col. Grove 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 - 4 7 2

WP: Meredith Shepherd; LP: Bobbi Heckel (11-5). 2B: Katie Roose (C). SB: Sydney Santaguida 2 (L), Niese (L), Verhoff (L0, Kiya Yinger (C), Hoffman (C).