Knights score in 12th to sneak past Wildcats
By JIM METCALFE
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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).
