The gloomy drive over to Miller City ended with the sun shinning down on the Rams Monday night.
As the Ram caravan took off for Miller City Monday afternoon, the last thing on everyone’s mind was a playing ballgame. Dodging the heavy raindrops through the Ayersville & New Bavaria area, everyone arrived in Miller City to a relatively dry baseball field.. The Rams opponent was yet to be determined as Tinora awaited the winner of the 4 pm game between Wauseon vs Miller City.
Rallying from a 4-2 deficit, the Wildcats of Miller city scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to advance with a 5-4 win over the Indians.
The Tinora Rams Acme Head Coach Doug Plassman put the ball into the hands of junior Eli Plassman, Tinora needed a victory to advance to the State Acme tournament. The Rams were the home team in the contest vs Miller City, at Miller City.
Things certainly started out rough for Plassman and the Rams. The first four Wildcats reached safely, Miller City eventually sent 8 batters to the plate, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead over the Rams.
The Tinora Bats certainly took notice, coming out hot as well. Jayden Bergman & Cole Commisso reached to start the Rams first inning, both scored on a Dalton Wolfrum sacrifice and a Wildcat throwing error, cutting the Wildcats lead to 3-2 after one inning.
Miller City added a single run in the second inning to increase their lead over the Rams 4-2.
Wildcat starter Owen Tobe shut the Tinora bats down over the next 3 innings, allowing just 1 hit as Miller City continued to hold a 4-2 lead as Tinora headed to the bottom of the fifth.
Senior Jayden Bergman started the rally in the fifth with a one out single. A Cole Commisso walk followed to give the Rams two base runners. Cole Anders reached on a fielders choice, but two were out now, leaving Ram runners at first and third. Rams cleanup hitter Teron Ward walked to load the bases.
Still trailing 4-2, Tinora’s Doug Plassman went to his bench, summoning Christian Commisso to bat for Eli Plassman. Commisso sent a shallow fly ball to left center, both outfielders were unable to make the catch, allowing Bergman and Cole Commisso to score, tying the game at 4-4. On the throw to third base from the outfield, the ball went flying into the Wildcats dugout, allowing Ward to also score, giving the Rams a 5-4 advantage.
Tinora wasn’t done, however. Christian Commisso, Casen Wolfrum, and Bryce Bailey also came around to score, increasing the Rams lead to 8-4 over Miller City after 5 innings.
Rams starter Eli Plassman retired the Wildcats without any damage over the next two innings to give the Tinora Rams their first ever Acme State appearance. Plassman allowed just one hit after the first inning in picking up the win.
Tinora improved to 21-2 in summer acme play.
For their efforts, Eli Plassman & Christian Commisso were named the Higbea Embroidery Co-Players of the game.
Tinora will face St Henry Saturday, July 17 at 3 pm from Elida High School on the State Acme Tournament.
W: Eli Plassman: 7 innings 7 K’s, 4 runs
L: Owen Toby
Miller City: 310 000 0 4
Tinora 200 061 x 9
Jayden Bergman: 2 runs, SB, 1B, BB, HP
Cristian Commisso: 1B, run, 2 RBI
Bryce Bailey: Single, run
Casen Wolfrum: 3 BB
NOTE: This team also advanced to the Jr Acme State tournament as freshman
Photo courtesy: Sarah Harris
Dave Kleck interview with Rams Doug Plassman
