Staff Reports

BLUFFTON — Bluffton’s Nathan Risner outdueled Jefferson’s Tyler Rice Friday night, leading the host Pirates to a riveting 2-1 Northwest Conference baseball triumph over the Wildcats in Bluffton.
Risner threw an efficient 77 pitches (44 strikes) in his complete game, ceding only one hit, one unearned run, two free passes and fanning two in fanning 26 batters.
Rice tossed 90 pitches (60 for strikes) in his gem, giving up six hits and two unearned runs in also facing 26 batters.
After neither team scored for 5 1/2 frames, the Pirates got their two tallies in the home half of the sixth. With one out, James Harrod singled and advanced as Drake Lugibihl’s fly ball was dropped. Brett Rumer’s single loaded the bases. Michael Sheehan got on board via an error, allowing Harrod and Lugibuhl to score and putting runners at second and third. Rice bore down and got the next two batters to bounce out to keep the Wildcats (13-8, 2-5 NWC) within striking distance.
Tyler Wrasman bunted his way aboard to lead off the Delphos seventh but was eliminated on a Drew Kortokrax grounder. The latter advanced on a Jordan Herron groundout and a misplayed grounder hit by Zavier Buzard. Buzard stole second and a wild pitch scored Kortokrax. However, Seth Wollenhaupt was retired to end the contest.
Jefferson visits Crestview 5 p.m. Monday.

JEFFERSON (1)
ab-r-h-rbi
Ross Thompson ss 3-0-0-0, Zach Ricker 2b/1b 2-0-1-0, Austin Jettinghoff c 3-0-1-0, Zach Kimmett 1b 1-0-0-0, Tyler Wrasman 2b 1-0-1-0, Drew Kortokrax dh 3-1-0-0, Jordan Herron 3b 3-0-0-0, Zavier Buzard cf 3-0-0-0, Seth Wollenhaupt lf 3-0-0-0, Tyler Rice p 2-0-0-0. Totals 24-1-3-0.

BLUFFTON (2)
ab-r-h-rbi
Trent Phillips ss 3-0-1-0, Austin Bricker 2b 3-0-0-0, Chris McClain 1b 2-0-0-0, James Harrod 1-1-1-0, Drake Lugibuhl cf 3-1-1-0, Tyler Belcher c 2-0-1-0, Brett Rumer c 1-0-1-0, Michael Sheehan rf 3-0-0-0, Nathan Risner p 3-0-1-0, Jordan Skilliter 3b 3-0-0-0, Josh Bracy dh 2-0-0-0. Totals 26-2-6-0.

Score by Innings:
Jefferson 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 1
Bluffton  0 0 0 0 1 1 0 - 2
E: Thompson 2, Wollenhaupt, Skilliter; LOB: Jefferson 4, Bluffton ; SB: Ricker, Buzard, Lugibuhl; POB: Ricker (by Belcher).

IP H R ER BB SO
JEFFERSON
Rice (L, 4-2) 6.0 6 2 0 0 0
BLUFFTON
Risner (W) 7.0 3 1 0 2 2
WP: Rice, Risner.

Lady Jays runners-up at Shawnee
SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP — The St. John’s girls were runners-up at the Shawnee Track and Field Invitational Friday night.
Elida finished fourth in the 9-team event.
On the boys side, the Bulldogs finished second and the Jays fifth.
St. John’s is in the Wayne Trace tri 5 p.m. Tuesday; Elida is hosting a meet 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Points 10-8-6-4-2-1
Girls Team Rankings: Shawnee 111.50, St. John’s 72, Lima Senior 71, Elida 56.50, Lima C.C. 54, Bath 35, Allen East 28, Bluffton 20, Perry 16.
Boys Team Rankings: Lima C.C. 95, Elida 89, Lima Senior 83, Shawnee 76, St. John’s 44, Allen East 26, Bath 26, Bluffton 15, Perry 11.
Girls 100 Meter Hurdles: 1. Marlowe (SH) 16.05; 2. Khiarea Deshazer (E) 17.59; 3. Reineke (BL) 17.94; 4. Hardy (SH) 18.04; 5. Samantha Bonifas (SJ) 18.12; 6. Bok (BA) 18.19.
Boys 110 Meter Hurdles: 1. Jackson (LS) 15.67; 2. Frieson (SH) 16.35; 3. Kevin Russell (E) 16.37; 4. Graham (LS) 16.40; 5. Jones (BA) 17.80; 6. Schlumpberger (LC) 18.17.
Girls 100 Meter Dash: 1. Ayers (BA) 12.60; 2. Roberts (SH) 12.88; 3. Maddie Burgei (SJ) 13.23; 4. Griffin (LS) 13.30; 5. Rinehart (SH) 13.39; 6. Rufus (LS) 13.56.
Boys 100 Meter Dash: 1. Rogers (LC) 10.86; 2. West (LC) 10.95; 3. Mays (LS) 11.18; 4. Turner (P) 11.26; 5. Nick Pauff (E) 11.55; 6. Desmend White (E) 11.88.
Girls 1,600 Meter Run: 1. Mohler (LC) 5:34.62; 2. Cohorn (SH) 5:35.92; 3. Sarah Suever (E) 5:42.26; 4. Megan Joseph (SJ) 5:49.48; 5. Kuhlman (SH) 5:55.64; 6. Aly Turrentine (E) 5:58.72.
Boys 1,600 Meter Run: 1. Rigg (LC) 4:43.75; 2. Sevitz (SH) 4:43.79; 3. Gaerid Littler (E) 4:53.79; 4. Conley (BL) 4:56.41; 5. Kuhlman (SH) 4:58.08; 6. Currens (LC) 5:09.08.
Girls 4x100 Meter Relay: 1. Lima Senior 52.97; 2. St. John’s (Maddie Burgei, Samantha Bonifas, Halie Benavidez, Emilie Fischbach) 53.09; 3. Lima C.C. 53.44; 4. Shawnee 53.75; 5. Allen East 54.15; 6. Elida (Tori Bown, Megan Tracy, Erin Kesler, Aubrey Williams) 54.30.
Boys 4x100 Meter Relay: 1. Lima C.C. 43.15; 2. Lima Senior 44.70; 3. Elida (Nick Pauff, Clark Etzler, Khory Kesler, Brandon Stinson) 44.93; 4. St. John’s (Evan Mohler, Will Buettner, Ben Youngpeter, Nick Martz) 45.48; 5. Allen East 45.67; 6. Perry 46.59.
Girls 4x800 Meter Relay: 1. Shawnee 10:30.25; 2. Bluffton 10:39.33; 3. Lima C.C. 10:43.05; 4. St. John’s (Megan Joseph, Brooke Zuber, Anna Mueller, Rebekah Fischer) 11:17.55; 5. Bath 11:37.65.
Boys 4x800 Meter Relay: 1. Shawnee 8:33.75; 2. Lima C.C. 8:37.23; 3. St. John’s (Tyler Conley, Jared Knebel, Curtis Pohlman, Jake Hays) 8:42.61; 4. Perry 9:00.72; 5. Lima Senior 9:38.04; 6. Elida (Gaerid Littler, Chase Watson, Eric Anthony, Glenn McVey) 9:41.95.
Girls 4x200 Meter Relay: 1. Shawnee 1:50.59; 2. St. John’s (Maddie Burgei, Samantha Bonifas, Halie Benavidez, Erin Williams) 1:53.56; 3. Lima Senior 1:54.06; 4. Allen East 1:54.75; 5. Bath 1:56.17; 6. Perry 1:59.47. Boys 4x200 Meter Relay: 1. Lima C.C. 1:30.31; 2. Lima Senior 1:31.44; 3. Allen East 1:34.14; 4. Shawnee 1:34.84; 5. St. John’s (Will Buettner, Nick Martz, Ben Youngpeter, Mark Boggs) 1:35.16; 6. Elida (Drew Freels, Clark Etzler, Desmend White, Khory Kesler) 1:35.18.
Girls Distance Medley: 1. Shawnee 13:57.39; 2. Lima C.C. 14:25.93; 3. Bluffton 14:42.48; 4. Elida (Jalisha Henry, Hailey Hurst, Sarah Suever, Aly Turrentine) 14:46.87; 5. Bath 14:47.79; 6. St. John’s (Erin Williams, Brooke Zuber, Anna Mueller, Megan Joseph) 14:55.75.
Boys Distance Medley: 1. Lima C.C. 11:37.60; 2. Shawnee 11:51.10; 3. Elida (Austin Lopez, Deshea Hughes, Chase Watson, Gaerid Littler) 12:38.40; 4. St. John’s (Tyler Conley, Curtis Pohlman, Cole Fischbach, Aaron Hellman) 13:01.70; 5. Bluffton 13:11.90; 6. Allen East 13:18.40. Girls 800 Sprint Medley: 1. Shawnee 1:53.71; 2. Allen East 2:01.81; 3. Lima Senior 2:02.36; 4. Lima C.C. 2:02.39; 5. St. John’s (Ashlyn Troyer, Halie Benavidez, Samantha Bonifas, Rebekah Fischer) 2:04.06; 6. Perry 2:04.14.
Boys 800 Sprint Medley: 1. Lima Senior 1:35.64; 2. Allen East 1:37.13; 3. Lima C.C. 1:38.54; 4. Shawnee 1:39.95; 5. Perry 1:41.80; 6. Elida (Desmend White, Deshea Hughes, Khory Kesler, Brandon Stinson) 1:42.10.
Girls 4x100 Meter Relay Iron Woman: 1. Shawnee 57.45; 2. Bath 58.14; 3. St. John’s (Emilie Fischbach, Sydney Fischbach, Madison Kreeger, Madelyn Buettner) 58.22; 4. Lima Senior 1:01.26; 5. Elida (Keely Kipp, Rachel Foust, Courtney Honcell, Bailee Kuhn) 1:01.84; 6. Perry 1:05.34. Boys 4x100 Meter Relay Iron Man: 1. Elida (Bradon Conn, Khory Kesler, Desmend White, Quentin Poling) 47.47; 2. Shawnee 50.76; 3. Lima Senior 50.98; 4. Lima C.C. 51.26; 5. St. John’s (Derek Anthony, Trent Closson, Connor Britt, Nate Schroeder) 52.11; 6. Bath 52.26. Girls 4x400 Meter Relay: 1. Shawnee 4:11.45; 2. Allen East 4:14.73; 3. Lima Senior 4:43.80; 4. St. John’s (Brooke Zuber, Erin Williams, Rebekah Fischer, Ashlyn Troyer) 4:48.72; 5. Bath 4:55.36; 6. Elida (Sarah Suever, Savana Sligh, Tori Bown, Jalisha Henry) 4:56.79.
Boys 4x400 Meter Relay: 1. Elida (Clark Etzler, Nick Pauff, Brandon Stinson, Quentin Poling) 3:29.61; 2. Allen East 3:31.96; 3. St. John’s (Jared Knebel, Will Buettner, Mark Boggs, Jake Hays) 3:32.83; 4. Lima Senior 3:41.55; 5. Shawnee 3:42.34; 6. Lima C.C. 3:43.10. Girls High Jump: 1. Alyssa Faurot (SJ) 5-2; 2. Davis (P) 5-0; 3. Aubrey Williams (E) 4-10; 4. Kidd (LC) 4-8; 5. (tie) Lauren Huffer (E) and Adams (SH) 4-6.
Boys High Jump: 1. Daniel (LS) 6-0; 2. Bell (SH) 6-0; 3. Kahle (BL) 5-10; 4. Graham (LS) 5-10; 5. Stechschulte (LC) 5-6; 6. Wilson (BL) 5-6.
Girls Pole Vault: 1. Tori Bown (E) 9-0; 2. Pajka (LC) 8-6; 3. Lutes (A) 8-0; 4. Alicia Buettner (SJ) 7-6; 5. Adams (SH) 7-0; 6. Sydney Fischbach (SJ) 6-6.
Boys Pole Vault: 1. Nick Pauff (E) 13-0; 2. Rolland (SH) 12-0; 3. Thomas (SH) 11-6; 4. Isaac Altenburger (SJ) 10-6; 5. Eric Gerberick (SJ) 10-0; 6. (tie) Kaiser (A) and Emerick (A) 9-0.
Girls Long Jump: 1. MacDonald (SH) 14-6.50; 2. Braun (LC) 14-1.50; 3. Holland (LS) 14-0; 4. Blasiman (BA) 13-11; 5. Ashlyn Troyer (SJ) 13-10; 6. Madison Kreeger (SJ) 13-8.50.
Boys Long Jump: 1. Rogers (LC) 21-4.50; 2. Brandon Stinson (E) 19-11.50; 3. Ben Youngpeter (SJ) 19-8.50; 4. Jackson (LS) 19-0.50; 5. Watson (LS) 17-6.50; 6. Adkins (BA) 17-6.
Girls Discus: 1. Rachel Foust (E) 98-4.50; 2. Williams (LS) 97-7; 3. Madison Kreeger (SJ) 94-2.25; 4. Cox (P) 91-7; 5. Crockett (LS) 88-11; 6. Stephanie Honingford (SJ) 80-6.
Boys Discus: 1. Quentin Poling (E) 144-2; 2. Jones (BA) 139-10.25; 3. Nate Schroeder (SJ) 131-1.50; 4. Bennett (LC) 123-11; 5. Kahle (BL) 115-7; 6. Stidham (LS) 107-4.
Girls Shot Put: 1. Williams (LS) 35-10.50; 2. Upthegrove (LS) 34-8; 3. Rachel Foust (E) 33-2.50; 4. Brandon (BA) 28-5; 5. Paige Lucas (SJ) 28-0; 6. Cox (P) 26-3.
Boys Shot Put: 1. Quentin Poling (E) 50-7; 2. Jones (BA) 44-4; 3. Garland (BA) 43-6; 4. Colley (LS) 40-11.50; 5. Mark Boggs (SJ) 40-8; 6. Bradon Conn (E) 39-8.

———

Bearcats pull out last-inning win over Big Green
By BOB WEBER
The Delphos Herald
sports@delphosherald.com
SPENCERVILLE - On a beautiful Friday night, the Ottoville Big Green traveled south on Route 66 to take on the Spencerville Bearcats in a non-league baseball matchup. In a see-saw battle, the Bearcats scored last and pulled out a 7-6 win.
The Bearcats got on the scoreboard first in the second inning on an error, a bunt (Bubba Shimp) and a 2-out single by James Schaad to score Aaron Crider.
The third inning saw the Big Green get things started with a 1-out walk to senior Jacob Turnwald. Sophomore Brandon Boecker took a 2-2 pitch over the fence in left to put the Big Green ahead 2-1.
The Big Green increased its lead to 3-1 in the top of the fourth inning on two walks and a run-scoring single by Derek Schimmoeller to bring home Alex Horstman.
In the bottom half, the Bearcats took the lead. An error and a single put Joel Shimp and Sean Monfort on, with Bubba Shimp lacing a 2-run double to center. He scored on a single by Mitchell Youngpeter, giving the Bearcats a 4-3 lead.
The Big Green tied it at 4-4 in the sixth. Two 1-out hits and a 2-out single by Schimmoeller plated freshman Jared Fanning.
The Bearcats went up 6-4 in the home half with two down. A single (Bubba Shimp) and walk (Wyatt Krouskop) set up Youngpeter 2-run rocket to centerfield for a double.
In Ottoville’s seventh, a hit batter (Boecker; Wes Markward pinch-running) and wild pitch preceded a run-scoring hit by Zach Weber for a 6-5 deficit. An out later came a play that gives a lot of coaches gray hair. The Bearcats seemingly had won the game with a strikeout of Joel Beining but the ball bounced away from the Bearcat catcher; a hesitant throw and an error put runners on second and third. Craig Odenweller walked to load the bases and Weber tied the game on a walk to Schimmoeller.
The Bearcats had the final answer in the bottom half. Freshman Hunter French led off with a single and reached second on a groundout. Joel Shimp laced a single to center that looked like the game-ender but the Big Green executed a perfect play to cut down French at the plate with sophomore Joe Van Oss blocking the plate and applying the tag. The Big Green intentionally walked Monford to set up a force play but pinch-hitter Jon Long ended the game with a single to right that just sneaked past the outstretched glove of Odenweller at second.
Schaad picked up the win in relief of Bearcat starter Joel Shimp (5 1/3 IP) and Tanner Koverman (1 1/3 IPs).
Weber suffered the lost for the Big Green in relief after junior Alex Horstman pitched the first four innings.
The Big Green are back in action Tuesday night as they travel to Miller City for a big PCL game (5 p.m.). The Bearcats travel to Ada for an NWC showdown 5 p.m. Monday.
Ottoville (6)
Derek Schimmoeller 4-0-2-3, Jacob Turnwald 3-1-0-0, Luke Schimmoeller 4-0-1-0, Brandon Boecker 3-1-1-2, Wes Markward 0-1-0-0, Cory Fischer 4-0-0-0, Alex Horstman 1-1-0-0, Zach Weber 2-1-1-1, Jared Fanning 4-1-1-0, Joel Beining 4-0-1-0, Craig Odenweller 2-0-0-0 Totals 31-6-7-6
Spencerville (7)
David Wisher 4-0-0-0, Joel Shimp 4-2-1-0, Sean Monfort 3-1-1-0, Aaron Crider 3-1-0-0, Jon Long 1-0-1-1, Bubba Shimp 2-2-2-2, Wyatt Krouskop 2-1-0-0, James Schaad 1-0-1-1, Mitchell Youngpeter 2-0-2-3, Tanner Koverman 3-0-0-0, Danny Settlemire 2-0-0-0, Hunter French 1-0-1-0 Totals 28-7-9-7
Score by Innings:
Ottoville 0-0-2-1-0-1-2 - 6
Spencerville 0-1-0-3-0-2-1 - 7
WP - Schaad; LP - Weber. 2B: Spencerville - B. Shimp, Youngpeter. HR: Ottoville - Boecker.
———-
Kalida doubles up Jennings
By DAVE BONINSEGNA
The Delphos Herald
zsportslive@yahoo.com
FORT JENNINGS — It’s not often that one sees a balk called in high school baseball. Friday afternoon at Village Park in Fort Jennings, the fans saw five as the Kalida Wildcats beat the Musketeers 8-4 in Putnam County League action.
Austin Swift started on the mound for the Wildcats, going 4 1/3 innings, giving up four runs and committing two balks in collecting his second win of the season.
Ryan Rau started for the hosts; he went five innings, giving up seven earned runs and committed three balks.
Randy Zeller was 2-for-4 at the plate for Kalida. Neil Recker reached three times in four at-bats with a hit and two runs.
Kurt Warnecke had a double and single with a run scored for the hosts; Mark Metzger went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored.
The ’Cats’ bats came alive early in the game, scoring three times in the top of the first: a walk (Brent Hovest), single (Swift), 2-run double (Rob Kleman) and two balks.
Fort Jennings answered with a run in the second after a leadoff double by Warnecke. He scored on a Rau sac fly.
The Wildcats added two in the third on a single (Recker) and walk (Kyle Kehres). Both scored, one on a Kleman sac fly, the other on a Trent Gerding single. Jennings wasted no time in getting back into the game, scoring two in the bottom of the inning. Dylan Van Loo led off with a double, Metzger walked and Warnecke launched a 2-out, 2-run double.
Kalida added one more in the fourth and another in fifth. Gerding led off the fifth with a single and came into score three batters later on a Hovest hit, giving the Wildcats a 7-3 advantage.
Alex Vetter led off the home half of the fifth with a single and scored on a Caleb Bankey 2-out base hit.
The ’Cats added an insurance run in the top of the seventh. Vorst led off with a double and scored on an error on Recker’s fly ball that got caught up in the swirling wind.
Kalida (3-10) hosts Waynesfield-Goshen for an 11 a.m. doubleheader today; Jennings (3-11) hosts Ayersville 5 p.m. Monday.
Score by Innings:
Kalida 212 110 1 — 8 10 3
Ft. Jennings 102 010 0 — 4 5 3

By JIM METCALFE
jmetcalfe@delphosherald.com

DELPHOS — Defense in the game of baseball or fast-pitch softball is all about catching, throwing and fielding.
Jefferson’s softball squad struggled with that part of the game Friday night, committing nine miscues in the field in falling 12-1 to Paulding in six innings in Northwest Conference action at Lady Wildcat Field.
It was that defensive struggle that was on the mind of first-year Jefferson head man Josiah Stober.
“We beat ourselves tonight with our defense. We made a lot of mental mistakes in those physical errors as well,” Stober began. “We talk to our girls a lot about thinking ahead and knowing where to go with the ball, as well as focusing on finishing the plays. We have to get better there, no doubt.”
Paulding head man Matt Carr was just happy his team put the ball in play.
“No doubt, we got help from their defense but we made them make those plays. We are hitting the ball hard,” Carr acknowledged. “That has been a big stress this week for us; make contact.”
Those errors meant that only one of the Lady Panthers’ 12 runs that Jefferson starter Taylor Branham (0-9) gave up in her six innings was earned. The Panthers (5-7, 3-3 NWC) got their only earned run in the top of the first on a walk, a single (Kelsey Beck) and a wild pitch, plating Alexis Rue.
Jefferson (0-11, 0-6 NWC) tied it up in the home half against freshman Kristen Schilt (2-1) on a leadoff triple to left by Fallon Van Dyke and a wild pitch.
However, junior first sacker Jasmine McDougall had to leave the lineup due to injury.
The Panthers opened up a 6-run lead in the top of the second, piecing together three miscues along the way. They also had a walk, a hit batter and three hits, including back-to-back 2-run singles by Breana Schmidt and Jerika Bland, to gain that 7-1 spread when the smoke had cleared.
The Wildcats tried to answer in the second on 1-out back-to-back singles (Samantha Branham and Alexis Cook) and a sacrifice bunt (Kayla Kill) but could not score.
Paulding left two stranded in the third and the bases loaded in the fourth, though they did score a run in the latter on a leadoff triple by Beck (3-for-4, 3 runs) and an error.
Delphos again put two on in the home half of the fourth on 2-out infield hits (S. Branham and Cook) but again, could not score.
The visitors made it 10-1 in the fifth as they used two more misplays by the Wildcats and one single, a run-scoring liner to left by Beck.
Paulding tacked on their final two tallies in the top of the sixth, once more gaining help via a pair of errors, plus adding a free pass and a hit. Trying to get two runs to extend the game, Jessica Pimpas led off the Jefferson sixth with a bloop to right but was eliminated on a Sarah Thitoff grounder. She advanced on a Kamie Pulford groundout and stole third but got no farther.
Stober was pleased with the offensive attack.
“Our bats have come alive the last three or four games. We’ve worked hard on our form and we’re swinging them well,” Stober added. “We’re putting the ball in play and not striking out nearly as much as we were earlier this season. We even had some hard-hit balls go right to them, so we had some bad luck. Taylor also pitched better than the result.”
Carr was extremely happy with his pitching.
“That was only Kristen’s third varsity start and she did fine,” he added. “When she throws strikes, she is very effective. That allows her to mix her changeup in with her other pitches and our defense is on its toes, like tonight.”
Both teams return to NWC action 5 p.m. Monday: Jefferson at Crestview and Paulding at Allen East.

PAULDING (12)
ab-r-h-rbi
Morgan Riley 3b 3-1-0-0, Alexis Rue cf 2-2-0-0, Suzanne Reinhart ph/cf 1-0-0-0, Kelsey Beck c 4-3-3-1, Breana Schmidt 1b 4-1-1-2, Jerika Bland ss 4-0-1-2, Emily Farr dp 3-0-1-0, Kandee Manson rf 0-0-0-0, Alyssa Shelmadine rf 0-0-0-0, Kristen Schilt p 3-2-2-0, Brooke Combs 2b 3-1-0-0, Melissa Durham 2b 1-0-0-0, Abby Pease lf 3-1-0-0, Kastin Kelly ph 1-1-0-0. Totals 32-12-8-5.

JEFFERSON (1)
ab-r-h-rbi
Fallon Van Dyke cf 3-1-1-0, Hannah Sensibaugh 3b 3-0-0-0, Taylor Branham p 3-0-1-0, Jasmine McDougall 1b 1-0-0-0, Jessica Pimpas 1b 2-0-1-0, Sarah Thitoff dp 3-0-0-0, Kimber Kill lf 0-0-0-0, Brandy White lf 0-0-0-0, Kamie Pulford ss 3-0-0-0, Samantha Branham c 2-0-2-0, Alexis Cook 2b 2-0-2-0, Kayla Kill rf 1-0-0-0, Bailey Gorman rf 0-0-0-0. Totals 23-1-7-0.

Score by Innings:
Paulding 1 6 0 1 2 2 - 12
Jefferson 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 1
E: Pimpas 3, S. Branham 2, T. Branham, Pulford, Kay. Kill, White; LOB: Paulding 9, Jefferson 6; 2B: Beck; 3B: Beck, Van Dyke; SB: Schilt, Pease, Kelly, Thitoff; CS: Riley (by T. Branham); Sac: Ka. Kill.

IP H R ER BB SO
PAULDING
Schilt (W, 2-1) 6.0 7 1 1 0 5
JEFFERSON
T. Branham (L, 0-9) 6.0 8 12 1 5 3
WP: T. Branham 4; PB: S. Branham 4; HBP: Rue (by T. Branham).

By JIM COX

DHI Correspondent

MIDDLE POINT - In a well-played game between two hard-hitting teams, the Lincolnview defense was the difference in a 7-3 fast-pitch win over Allen East Thursday afternoon. The Lady Lancers are now 11-2 overall, 4-1 in the Northwest Conference. The Lady Mustangs are 11-7 and 2-4.

Lincolnview jumped on Mustang starter Aubrin Davis for three runs in the top of the first. Centerfielder Jodie Doner poked a single to right center to start the inning. Autumn Proctor followed with an unusual at-bat. Proctor fouled off two bunt attempts from the left side, then switched to the right side of the plate and blasted a homer off the scoreboard in left center, the first round-tripper of her career.

Proctor’s blast disabled the scoreboard until it came to life in the fifth inning. Leftfielder Devan Springer was hit by a pitch and third baseman Kelsey Mohr plated Springer with a double to the gap in right center to make it 3-0 after one inning.

The Lancers added another run in the third. With one out, second baseman Kaitlyn Brant and Springer were each hit by Davis pitches. Shortstop Bailey Neate roped a double into the gap in left center, scoring Brant.

Mustang shortstop Kayce Rowe started the fourth inning by blasting a long homer to dead center to narrow the gap to 4-1 but Lincolnview came right back in the bottom half with two tallies.

First baseman Macey Ashbaugh started the inning with a walk, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Davis fanned the next batter but Doner blooped an opposite-field single to right, putting runners on the corners. Doner then took second without a throw. Proctor bounced to shortstop Rowe who threw home, nailing Ashbaugh, the play ending with Doner on third and Proctor on second. Brant’s frozen-rope single hit the fence in left center, bringing in Doner and Proctor to make it 6-1, Lancers, after four.

Allen East made it interesting in the top of the sixth, scoring twice on a walk, hit batter and 2-run double by centerfielder Kylie Wyss.

Doner provided an insurance run in the bottom half by smoking a liner over the fence in dead center for the first homer of her 4-year career.

Lancer hurler Ashley McClure went the distance, giving up the three runs, all earned, on five hits, while striking out five, walking only one and hitting one batter. She threw 101 pitches, 63 of which were strikes. She was aided by stellar defensive play from her infielders and outfielders, getting particularly outstanding catches by Doner and Springer.

Lincolnview coach Kent McClure was an understandably happy man afterwards. “I love speed in the outfield. The girls absolutely cover the ground. I can’t remember our defense ever being this good. We knew they could hit. They’re a very good offensive team. Ashley shut them down pretty well, changing location, in and out, mixing the off-speed in, fast ball up. They had some good hits on the ball but defensively, the infield made some nice plays. I’d put my middle infield (Neate and Brant) against a lot of people.”

Doner also led Lincolnview hitters, going 3-for-4, including a homer, scoring once and driving in one. Proctor was 1-for-3 with a homer, scoring twice and driving in two. Brant was 1-for-3, scored one and driving in two. Neate and Mohr had identical stat lines — 1-for-3 with a double and one RBI.

For the Lady Mustangs, Rowe went 1-for-3 with a homer, scored once and drove in one. Wyss was 1-for-3 with a double and drove in two.

Davis took the loss, throwing 3.2 innings, yielding six runs, all earned, on seven hits, striking out three, walking one and hitting three batters.

Rowe relieved and pitched the remaining 2.1 innings, giving up one run, earned, on one hit, walking one and striking out one.

Allen East (ab-r-h-rbi)

Rowe ss/p 3-1-1-1, Rodriguez 1b/ss 2-1-1-0, Conkle c 3-0-1-0, Schantz 3b 2-1-0-0, Wyss cf 3-0-1-2, Mertz 3-0-0-0, Sizemore dp 3-0-1-0, Meeker rf 0-0-0-0, Aubrin p/dh 2-0-0-0, Rex 1b 1-0-0-0, Richardson 3-0-0-0. Totals 25-3-5-3.

Lincolnview (ab-r-h-rbi)

Doner cf 4-3-3-1, Proctor dp 3-2-1-2, Brant 2b 3-1-1-2, Springer lf 2-1-1-0, Neate ss 3-0-1-1, Mohr 3b 3-0-1-1, Calvert c 3-0-0-0, Ashbaugh 1b 2-0-0-0, Thatcher rf 3-0-0-0, McClure p 0-0-0-0. Totals 26-7-8-7.

Score by Innings:

Allen East 000 101 0 - 3 5 1

Lincolnview 301 201 x 0 7 8 0

WP: McClure; LP: Davis. DP: Allen East 1. LOB: Allen East 4, Lincolnview 6. 2B: Wyss, Neate, Mohr. HR: Rowe, Doner, Proctor.

——-

Mustangs edge by Lancers

RURAL MIDDLE POINT — Allen East scored four times in the top top of the sixth frame en route to a 5-3 Northwest Conference baseball victory over Lincolnview at Lincolnview High School.

Kyle Williams (1-1) took the loss for the Lancers (5-10, 2-4 NWC).

“Kyle did a good job for us on the mound again and we just couldn’t get a win for him. We continue to play fairly well on defense,” Lincolnview coach Kevin Longstreth noted. “We need to continue to develop at the plate. We have taken enough reps and played enough games for us to be better hitters than we are showing.”

Next game is at Wayne Trace tonight (5 p.m.).

Lincolnview 3

ab r h rbi

Nick Leeth 2 2 0 0, Kyle Williams 4 0 1 0, Matt Oechsle 4 0 0 0, Conner McCleery 1 1 1 2, Austin Leeth 3 0 1 0, Derek Youtsey 3 0 0 0, Derek Friesner 2 0 1 0, Tyler Richey 3 0 0 0, Troy Patterson 3 0 1 1, Austin Leeth 3 0 0 0. Totals 28 3 5 3.

Score by Innings:

Allen East 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 - 5

Lincolnview 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 - 3

SB: N. Leeth 3.

Staff reports

DELPHOS — New Knoxville got a 3-run home run by Meyer in the top of the fifth inning to grab a 6-3 lead and held on for a 6-5 Midwest Athletic Conference triumph over host St. John’s Thursday at Stadium Park.

The Blue Jays (4-11, 1-4 MAC) out-hit the Rangers 11-10 but left 13 runners on base.

“We hit the ball well; we’ve been coming around there. We’re putting ourselves in position to score,” Jays coach Ryan Warnecke said. “However, we didn’t come up with the clutch hit in the big situations. That is something we have to get better at doing.”

However, five errors on the defensive side made things tough for starter Troy Warnecke and reliever Drew Wagner.

“It’s starting to become an issue. We made one step forward and go back two more,” the coach added. “It’s hard to get out there on the mound when you’re unsure of those behind you making plays. It’s not that we’re not fielding the ball — we are; we’re just throwing the ball all over the field. It’s a lack of concentration; it’s more mental now.”

St. John’s hits the road to New Bremen 5 p.m. today for another MAC encounter.

NEW KNOXVILLE (6)

ab-r-h-rbi

Howe 3b 3-0-1-0, Wolf lf 4-0-0-0, Allen c 4-2-3-0, Shreve p 4-1-0-0, Porter 1b 4-1-2-3, Topp ss 4-1-2-0, Meyer 2b 4-1-1-2, Shaw rf 3-0-1-0, Scott cf 3-0-0-0. Totals 33-6-10-5.

ST. JOHN’S (5)

ab-r-h-rbi

Curtis Geise ss 3-1-1-1, Andrew Metzger cf 3-2-1-1, Ryan Buescher c 4-0-1-1, Troy Warnecke p/2b 3-0-1-1, T.J. Hoersten 1b 4-0-1-0, Craig Klausing 3b 4-0-1-0, Clay Courtney rf 4-1-3-0, Gage Seffernick 2b 3-1-1-0, Drew Wagner p 0-0-0-0, Ben Wrasman lf 3-0-1-0. Totals 31-5-11-4.

Score by Innings:

N. Knoxville 2 0 0 1 3 0 0 - 6

St. John’s 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 - 5

E: Klausing 3, Porter 2, Geise 2, Allen, Meyer; LOB: New Knoxville 7, St. John’s 13; 2B: Hoersten, Wrasman; HR: Meyer; SB: Metzger; CS: Topp (by Buescher); Sac: Hoersten; SF: Geise.

IP H R ER BB SO

NEW KNOXVILLE

Shreve (W) 7.0 11 5 3 6 0

ST. JOHN’S

Warnecke (L) 5.0 10 6 5 0 6

Hoersten 2.0 0 0 0 1 1

HBP: Metzger (by Shreve); PB: Allen 2, Buescher 2.