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P-G escapes jam to down Grove(Lima News, The (Ohio) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 18--COLUMBUS GROVE -- In the first two meetings of the year, Columbus Grove and Pandora-Gilboa showed no problem pounding out hits and runs. The schools split the regular season series, each ending in a five-inning run-rule win. So, it was only logical to expect a tight, downto-the-wire game when the rivals met in a Division IV sectional final Saturday, right? "Before we came over here (Saturday), we said this was going to be a tight game. We knew it," Rockets coach Larry McCullough said. The Rockets made the most of their opportunities, coming back from a one-run deficit to take the rubber match, 2-1. They advanced to face Delphos St. John's in a district semifinal Thursday at Shawnee. The teams combined to score 32 runs on 30 hits in the two regular season affairs. In the second game, Leipsic survived a sloppy game to take out Miller City, 7-6, and advance to face Allen East in the other game Thursday at Shawnee. "We found a way," Henry said. "That's what these guys do. They seem to find a way to win games. They can play ugly and they find a way to win." The third meeting of the Rockets and Bulldogs was largely devoid of the previous offensive fireworks. Grove (14-10) managed just two hits, but benefited from eight walks. In fact, the lone Grove run came in the third after a lead-off walk to Adam Osterhage, who scored on a Kyle Stechschulte one-out sacrifice to center field. Pandora-Gilboa (12-10) tied the game with back-to-back one-out doubles in the fifth. Nathan Lee drilled a double to left field, and came home three pitches later as Austin Blaski also doubled to left. With one out in the sixth, Jordan Lehman drew a fullcount walk. He went to third on a single from the next batter, Tyler Swary. Nick Drecker plated Lehman with a sacrifice to center. Senior captain Blaski picked up the win for working the final three innings, but it wasn't without drama. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Blaski walked the bases loaded on 14 pitches. However, he induced Garret Wolfe to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game. "Sometimes, you need a little luck to advance, and we didn't get that, especially with that last play of the game" Grove coach Cory King said. "Sometimes you have to be lucky." Leipsic 7, Miller City 6 The one number to know from the second game at Grove: 11, as in the combined number of errors. Of the 13 runs, only two were earned. "Both of us played pretty sloppy defense, but someone has to step up and make plays. We didn't," Miller City coach Cary Melia said. Down a run in the bottom of the seventh, the Vikings loaded the bases. Nate Schroeder reached on an error, moving to second when Jordan Selhorst was hit by a pitch. Jacob Schroeder loaded the bases when pitcher Rusty Wenzinger sent an errant throw to third in the hopes of nabbing the runner. On the next pitch, senior Luke Haselman ripped a single to left, scoring Schroeder and Selhorst for the win. "They put a strike down the middle," Haselman said, "so I figured I would stick the bat out and see what happens." You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com. To see more of The Lima News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.limanews.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Lima News, Ohio Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |