On another rainy day, the Tinora Rams loaded the bus and headed to Findlay to take on the Div 1 Trojans. The good thing about traveling to Findlay is the all-turf field; it can rain cats and dogs, yet when the rain stops, it’s time to play ball.

After the rain stopped and, of course, a 15-degree drop in the temperature followed, the teams were finally ready to take the field at 3:30 pm. The original start time was 1 pm, but it was moved to 3 pm due to the rain, and the teams heard “PLAY BALL” at 3:30 pm.

Grady Stark took the hill for the Rams, Blake Wendt for the host Trojans, on the wet Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans struck first, taking a 3-0 lead after two innings of play. Jacob Gebhardt walked to start the inning and would score on a Tinora throwing error for the first run of the contest. Hunter Sertell, who followed Gebhardt with a walk, would score on an infield groundout for a 2-0 advantage. Cooper McKanna would cross the plate on another Rams error for a 3-0 lead after two innings of play.

Findlay added two runs in the bottom of the third for a 5-0 lead. Blake Wendt doubled off Stark to start the frame and would score on a single off the bat of Reece Stillings for a 4-0 Trojans lead. The final run in the inning came as Caleb Kanney flew out to Justin Reynolds in center, scoring Stilings on the sac fly, and a 5-0 lead.

Allan Burchfield would relieve Tinora, starting Grady Stark in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Findlay’s lead grew to 6-0 with a single run in the bottom of the fifth. Reece Stillings singled to start the inning, moved to second on a single by Jacob Gebrardt, Hunter Sertell walked to load the bases, and came around to score on a passed ball.

Tinora’s only run of the game came in the top of the seventh. Jared Neff was hit to start the seventh. A one-out walk to Oweb Reynolds put runners on first and second for the Rams.

Findlay head coach Jordan Nell made a pitching change, replacing starter Blake Wendt with Caleb Kanney.

Kaiden Massengale’s single would score Neff, Tinora trailed 7-1. Allan Burchfield would walk to load the bases for the Rams. Kanney was able to retire the final two Tinora hitters for the 7-1 Findlay win.

Tinora drops to 4-2-1. The Rams have a busy week ahead with two huge GMC games, Tues vs Fairview, Wed vs Edgerton, Friday vs Delphos St. John’s, and Saturday at the PBR Classic at Defiance High School vs Ottawa Hills at 10 am.

Finday improves to 8-4. The Trogans host Perrysburg on Monday.

Pics: Coach Stein