The Rams and Archers have had quite a few battles over the last four seasons on the diamond, tonight was no different.
Unfortunately for both Tinora and Antwerp, neither could catch the Wayne Trace Raiders atop the GMC standings as the teams battled at Grube Field in the final conference game of the season.
The last time the Rams baseball team did not finish atop the GMC standings was in 2016, a great run for the Rams baseball program and head coach Brent Renollet, but congratulations to the Raiders of Wayne Trace.
The Rams loaded the bases two separate times over the first two innings against Archers starter Reid Lichty but could score just a single run. That came in the bottom of the second inning as Hunter Bostelman plated the Tinora first run on a Kadyn Radzik RBI single.
The Archers would tie the game in the top of the third, as Cam Fuller took an Eli Plassman pitch and sent it deep over the left field fence, knotting the game at 1-1.
The Rams would again load the bases in the fourth inning. This time they would strike for two runs, jumping out to a 3-1 advantage. Eli Plassman would score the Rams second run of the contest on a fielder’s choice off Radzik’s bat, giving the Rams a 2-1 lead. Grady Gustwiller would score the second run of the inning on a wild pitch, giving Tinora a 3-1 lead after four innings of play.
Eli Plassman was in complete control most of the game, however he found himself in hot water in the top of the sixth inning as the Archers loaded the bases with no one out.
Ahead of Plassman was the heart of the Archers order, Altimus, and the Leichty’s, Reid and Ethan. All Plassman did was pull off a Houdini act, retiring the three big bats on three straight fly ball outs.
The Archers did not score, the Rams led 3-1 as they headed to bat in the bottom of the sixth.
Tinora would add an insurance run in the sixth on a Teron Ward fielders choice.
Plassman would retire the Archers in the top of the seventh, picking up his second win on the season,
Antwerp 001 000 1 1R 2H
Tinora 010 201 X 4R 3H
L – R Lichty
W – Plassman 7 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K
Antwerp; Fuller HR, Moore 1B
Tinora: Radzik – 2 RBI, 2 singles, Moser – single
Tinora improves to 11-3, and finished their GMC season at 5-2. The Rams travel to Kalida on Saturday, first pitch at 11 am.
Antwerp falls to 7-10, 4-3 in conference play.
The Higbea Embroidery Player of the game went to senior right-hander, ELi Plassman. Great game, Eli.
Final GMC standings below:
Pics Joanie Harris:
Pics Mrs Wells
