Grube slams the door on ‘Streaks rally.
In a match-up of perennial powerhouse programs, Head Coach Brent Renollet brought his 16-3 Tinora Rams over to Memorial Park to face longtime Archbold head man Dick Selgo and his 14-4 Bluestreaks.
Coming into the game, Tinora was looking to start a new streak after seeing its 12 game winning streak end Saturday to Ottawa Glandorf. Archbold was coming in riding high winning 7 straight, including a win on Saturday at Fifth Third Field in Toledo.
Tinora sent starter junior Casen Wolfrum to the hill while Archbold sent junior right-hander Zane Behnfeldt.
The Rams jumped out to a 2-0 lead heading to the bottom of the second inning before Devon Morris sent a Wolfrum pitch into the right-field trees to cut the Rams lead to 2-1.
As the ‘Streaks defense let down starter Behnfeldt over the next few innings, the Rams bats took advantage of the errors. Tinora scored three runs in the third, two more in the fourth to grab a 7-3 lead heading into the sixth. The Rams added two more to increase their lead to 9-3 as we headed to the bottom of inning six.
Starter Behnfeldt exited after pitching four effective innings. Devon Morris came on in relief in the top of the fifth for Archbold.
Tinora starter Casen Wolfrum again battled to the end, leaving it all on the mound before exiting after 5 and 1/3 innings. Cole Commisso came on in relief of Wolfrum with the Rams holding on to a 9-5 lead. After a fielders choice and errant pick off attempt cut the Rams lead to 9-7, Commisso retired DJ Newman with the bases loaded to end the sixth.
Tinora added two runs in the top of the seventh to increase their lead to 11-7 as we headed to the bottom of the inning. The Archbold bats wasted no time getting started as the ‘Streaks had two runners on the base paths with just one out. A ground ball to Wolfrum at third forced the runner at third, leaving Archbold down to it’s last out. A single to center by Brayton Hobbs loaded the bases for the Bluestreaks.
On came Rams lead man Brent Renollet to summon Tinora three sport athlete, senior right-hander Marcus Grube to the hill in releif of Commisso. After falling behind on the count to 3-0, Grube retired the final batter on a 3-1 pitch to end the game and earn the save for Tinora, 11-7.
Tinora improves to 17-3 and will host Ayersville Friday at 5 pm for a chance to win the GMC championship.
Archbold sees its seven game streak snapped, falling to 14-5.
Marcus Grube was named the Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game for coming in a slamming the door on the ‘Streaks rally in the last inning.
Hitting:
Nolan Schafer: 3-5, 2 R
Andrew Imthurn: 2-2, 2 BB, 3 R, RBI
Cole Commisso: 3-5, 2B, RBI
Casen Wolfrum: 1-3, 3 RBI
Max Grube: 2 R
Pitching:
Casen Wolfrum: W, 5.1 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 K, BB, 4 H
Others: Cole Commisso and Marcus Grube – save
