By: Joe Shouse, Sports Writer
In Division IV softball action third seed Wayne Trace turned back fifth seed Ada in convincing style 11-1 to capture the sectional title
The Raiders scored early with two runs in the first inning thanks to an Ada wild pitch allowing Ava Zartman to score from third base. Prior to the score Tatum Tigner sent a sacrifice fly to the outfield that scored another Raider run for the two-run margin.
The Raiders continued to build their scoring advantage in the second frame when Macy Doster reached base on another Ada error. The costly mistake aloud Doster to score following a sacrifice fly by senior Carlee Mead.
After two complete innings the momentum was in the Raiders favor with the red, white, and blue holding a 3-0 advantage.
With Ada coming up empty in the top half of the third, the Raiders responded in a big way. The inning opened with a Tiffany Sinn single followed by Emma Crosby answering with a bunt single to quickly put runners on first and second. Kaitlin Slade smacked an infield single to load the bases. The Raiders continued to have their way at the plate when Tatum Tigner unloaded a sacrifice fly to score freshman Ava Zartman who had earlier replaced Sinn at third base. Still in control, leading 4-0, Katie Anne Baumle drove in Crosby on a ground out to widen the Raider margin at 5-0. A combination of Raider hits and Ada errors turn the lead to 8-0 after three innings of work.
Ada managed a run to cut the Raider lead to 8-1 but the red, white, and blue continued to find a way to score. In the fifth Sinn produced a double to open the inning followed by a Kaitlin Slade double that scored Sinn and the Raiders were back up 9-1. Wayne Trace would add two more runs late in the contest to keep the Bulldogs from having much of a chance for a successful comeback.
Tiffany Sinn was the winning pitcher allowing three hits, one walk and one earned run in five innings. Sinn not only did her job on the mound she was also solid at the plate with two singles and a double. Slade added a single and double with Crosby connecting on two singles. Team mates Bland and Doster each added a single apiece for the sectional champs.
RAIDERS PUT SOLID WIN TOGETHER OVER LCC
By: Joe Shouse, Sports Writer
Wayne Trace traveled to Lima Central Catholic for a baseball contest with the T-birds and the Raiders came away with a 5-2 win to move their overall record to a very respectable 14-6.
The red, white, and blue scored two runs in the second and one in the third along with two more in the fourth to open a 5-0 lead before LCC found home plate with a run in the sixth and seventh. For the Raiders it was only their second game during the month of May.
“We haven’t played many games recently. This was only our second game in May after a 12-day lay-off due to rain and poor field conditions. This was a good win for us against a quality opponent,” said Wayne Trace Head Coach Ryne Jerome.
In the second inning the Raiders loaded the bases when Dane Moore connected on a grounder to the LCC short stop who bobbled the ball allowing two Raiders to score for the early 2-0 lead after two innings.
The third frame saw the Raider margin increase to 3-0 when Cooper Wenzlick drove in Tucker Antoine who had singled earlier.
In the fourth inning Kyle Slade singled followed by a single by Cale Winans that advanced Slade to third. With Slade on third, senior Carter Baksa connected on a base hit to score Slade and the Raiders were on top 4-0. Wayne Trace managed one additional run to lead 5-0 before LCC got on the board with two runs to make the final in favor of the Raiders 5-2.
Allen Minck got the win pitching four innings and striking out four while walking five and giving up just two hits. In relief Kyle Forrer delivered two innings of work, striking out four, walking two and allowing two runs – both earned.
“This was a good win for us but we left to many runners on base. It was good that we could do that and still get the win but, in the future and during the upcoming tournament against quality teams we will need to do better,” commented Coach Jerome.
RAIDERS SNEAK PAST WILDCATS ON SENIOR NIGHT
By: Joe Shouse, Sports Writer
The Raiders hosted Miller City last Friday night in what would turn out to be a very successful senior night farewell. Playing their final regular season game at home the red, white, and blue scattered 12 hits to run past the Wildcats 9-5. With the win the Raiders improve the non-conference portion of their schedule at 15-6.
The Raiders recognized their senior team mates as the team looks forward to tournament play. Seniors include Brendon Bidlack, Jayden Molitor, Cameron Cox, Carter Baksa, Trevor Speice and Dane Moore.
Although it was senior night, it was a freshman, Cooper Wenzlick, who recorded the win. Wenzlick pitched five innings, striking out two, walking four while allowing three hits and three runs; all being earned. Trevor Speice pitched two innings in relief, striking out five, walking two and allowing three hits and two runs; all being earned.
Leading hitters for the Raiders was Brendon Bidlack who collected two doubles, a single and two RBIs. Cale Winans had a solid outing at the plate with three singles, a double and three RBIs. Senior Carter Baksa recorded an RBI double with classmate Trevor Speice adding an RBI single. Jayden Molitor also added a single for the winning Raiders.
