They say all good things must come to an end.
Heading into the summer Acme season after a disappointing end to their spring season, probably the last thing on any member of the Tinora baseball team was playing for a state title in July, especially against a county rival, the Defiance Bulldogs.
But the two neighboring powerhouse programs met of all places, at Ed Sandy Field in Elida Ohio, the winner would leave with the 2021 Acme State Championship trophy.
Tinora sent incoming junior Eli Plassman to the mound, Defiance sent senior David Jiménez. The Rams defeated Jimenez and Defiance in the spring, 4-1. The last time Plassman took the hill, he pitched the Rams past Miller City, sending Tinora to State.
The Rams got a runner as far as second base in the top of the first, left stranded was Cole Commisso as Tinora failed to score in their first at bat.
Defiance wasted no time getting things rolling. A lead off single by starter David Jimenez started the Bulldog’s two run first inning. After a stolen base by Jimenez but him at second, a sacrifice bunt by Wade Liffick turned into a Rams error put Defiance up 1-0. A balk by Plassman platted the second Defiance run, scoring was Brayden Shaw to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead after one inning.
Defiance put another run across in the bottom of the second, increasing their lead to 3-0. Two more Tinora errors in the second. Gavino Gomez reached on an error, and also score on another Tinora error. The Rams defense committed three errors in the first two innings.
The Rams finally scored a single run in the top of the third, Tyler Wiemken singled and scored on a Cole Commisso sacrifice fly to center, cutting the Defiance lead to 2-1 after three innings.
Neither team did any damage in the fourth, we headed to the fifth with defiance leading 3-1.
This is where the wheels on the Ram train fell off.
Defiance would score 3 more runs in the bottom of the fifth, increasing their lead to 6-1 over Tinora. Defiance sent 9 batters to the plate, scoring three runs on four more Tinora errors. The Rams would end the day with 8 total errors.
Eli Plassman exited after 4 1/3 innings, relieving him was Cole Commisso. Plassman allowed six runs, just two of those were earned as he took the loss.
Tinora did put together a small rally in the seventh, putting two on with two out, but Defiance starter David Jimenez shut down the Rams rally, ending with a complete game. Jimenez was in complete control the entire game, limiting the potent Tinora offense to just one run on four hits.
A great season for the Tinora Rams acme baseball team, hold your heads high!
Jayden Bergman, an ace in waiting, as well as a thunder stick at the plate, Cole Commisso smashing liners all over the outfield, Christian as well with the power, Casen Wolfrum with nerves of steel, Teron Ward with a vacuum cleaner for a glove at third, as well as a lightning rod for a bat. Eli Plassman, another arm to add to the rotation in 2022 as well as a great glove. Bryce Bailey with the power, Dalton Wolfrum with a slick glove and great bat, The leadership of Ty Wiemken, Keegan Miles, and Luke Harris will be a great sight in 2022 as well. Great things await the 2022 spring Tinora Rams baseball club.
Named to the All Tournament team were:
Casen Wolfrum, Cole Commisso, and Teron Ward. Congratulations Rams!
Defiance hurler David Jiménez was named tournament MVP.
Also named were Bulldogs Aidan Kiessling, Jayden Jerger, KamRon Rivera, & Bradyn Shaw. TJ Stoler from Van Wert rounded out the team.
Congratulations to all on a great season.
Defiance ends the season at 21-4-1.
Tinora’s season ends at 23-3.
W: Jiménez: 7 IP, 4 H; 1 run, 5 K, 1 BB
L: Plassman: 4 2/3 IP, 7 hits, 6 runs, 2 ER, 0 K, 1 BB
Tinora:
Bergman – Single
C. Wolfrum – 2 singles
Wiemken – single
Defiance:
Kellermyer- 2 singles, RBI
Jiminez- 2 singles, SB, RBI, BB, run
Rivera – single, RBI, run
