The 2022 version of the Tinora Rams baseball team may not be one of the most talented teams in the 22 seasons of Tinora head coach Brent Renollet, but it may rank near the top as being the scrappiest.
The Rams welcomed in long time nemeses, the Fairview Apaches, for a Green Meadows Conference opener on the best night of baseball NW has seen all season.
Fairview coming in at 2-3, and off a walk off win vs Van Wert, while the Rams were coming in at 3-0, defeating Edon on Tuesday evening.
Fairview sent Nathaniel Adkins to the hill, while Tinora sent Casen Wolfrum, both senior righties.
The Apaches threatened in the first, loading the bases with one out vs Wolfrum. A great play by Wolfrum forced a runner at the plate, the followed up with an inning ending strikeout to get out of the jam.
In the top of the third, with the game still scoreless, Wolfrum and the Rams found themselves in more hot water. Fairview again loaded the bases with one out. On a timing play, Wolfrum wheeled and fired back to second to pick off an Apache base runner for out two. Wolfrum again ended the inning with a strikeout.
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, Rams DH Jayden Bergman would step up and smash a solo home run over the left field fence, giving the Rams a 1-0 lead after four innings.
Fairview would tie the game at 1-1 with a single run of Wolfrum in the top of the fifth inning. Eli Shinninger would score on a Kolton Schooley two out RBI Single.
Just as Fairview tied the game, the Rams bats would awake in the bottom of the fifth inning. A one out pinch hit single by Teron Ward would start the rally. Senior catcher Nolan Schafer would single, Rams shortstop Kaden Radzik would also single to load the bases off Fairview hurler Adkins.
A force out at the plate would retire a Rams base runner for the second out of the inning. Up stepped Rams DH, Mr Clutch last season, Jayden Bergman. Bergman sent a bases loaded pitch into center field for a two RBI single. Also scoring on the play was Cole Commisso, Commisso scored on a throwing error.
After the dust settled, Tinora led 4-1. Rams starter Casen Wolfrum stepped in, singling to right, scoring Bergman, the Rams led 5-1 after five innings.
Casen Wolfrum would exit in the top of the seventh inning after a lead off walk to Apaches Brady Karzynow. Tinora junior Eli Plassman would come in and close the door on the Apaches.
Just as he did during the Rams Acme run last Summer, Wolfrum gave everything he had, emptying his tank on the hill.
With the win, the Rams move to 4-1, 1-0 in the GMC. Tinora will face Edgerton on Thursday.
The loss drops the Apaches to 2-4, 0-1 in conference play. Fairview will host Paulding on Thursday in a GMC game.
The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game award went to both Casen Wolfrum and Jayden Bergman. Great job gentleman.
FV 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 — 1 Run, 5 hits, 1 error
Tinora 0 0 0 1 4 0 — 5 Runs, 9 hits, 2 errors
WP – Casen Wolfrum – 6 IP, 1 Run, 7 hits, 4 BB, 6 K’s
Other – Eli Plassman
LP – Nathanial Adkins – 6 IP, 5 Runs, 9 hit, 0 BB, 7 K’s
Leading Hitters:
FV
Nathanial Adkins – 3 singles
Schooley – 3 singles
Tinora
Nolan Schafer – 2 singles
Jayden Bergman – 2 singles, 1 homerun, 3 RBI’s, 2 Runs
Tristan Birks – double
Pics courtesy Mrs Wells & Nancy Fedderke
