HAMLER: Patrick Henry rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh to end the Tinora Rams’ upset bid over the #3-seeded Patriots, 10-9. A two-out single by Elise Wyandt scored Peyton Wensink with the winning run as the Patriots survived the upset bid by the Lady Rams.

Tinora jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first off Patriots starter Shealin Schmeltz. Zoe Billings singled and Madison Spander drew a one-out intentional walk. Savannah Schroeder’s RBI single plated Billings. Schroeder then scored on Karli Carpenter’s RBI single. Madison Spangler scored on a passed ball for the final run.

Patrick Henry added a run in the second. Brooke Scherdt walked and scored on Aviana Hahn’s RBI single. Tinora led 3-1 after two innings.

The host Patriots added another single run in the bottom of the fourth off Tinora starter Zoe Billings. Scherdt would single and score on a Lady Rams infield error, one of two in the inning. Patrick Henry cut the Lady Rams’ lead to 3-2 through four innings.

Patrick Henry scored five runs in the fifth to take a 7-3 lead, aided by three Tinora errors.

Tinora answered with five straight hits in the sixth to cut the Patriots’ lead to 7-5. Singles by Madison Spangler, Savannah Schroeder, Karli Carpenter, Taylor Spangler (with an RBI), and Christina Meyers (RBI) narrowed the gap to two after six.

Tinora, not wanting their season to end just yet, would send nine hitters to the plate in the top of the seventh to grab a 9-7 lead. Again, the Lady Rams bats were on fire in the inning. Singles by Billings, Rios, and another intentional walk to Spangler loaded the bases with no outs.
Coach Tony Fairchild called for a suicide squeeze, and Schroeder executed it perfectly, scoring Billings for a 7-6 deficit. Tinora took an 8-7 lead on a Patriots infield error, allowing Madison Spangler and Schroeder to score. Taylor Spangler’s RBI single brought in Carpenter for a 9-7 edge.

Patrick Henry’s rally began with Schertz’s leadoff single. Billings retired Faith Meyer on a fielder’s choice before Hahn doubled, putting runners at second and third with one out. Schmeltz’s bloop scored Meyer, making it 9-8. The tying run scored on a wild pitch, with Hahn coming home. Wyandt followed with a single to right field, bringing in Wensink for the winning run.

Patrick Henry improved to 16-6 and advanced to the Archbold district to face Hickville on May 19.

Tinora finished the season 8-17.

Tinora will see seniors Christian Meyer and Paige Gamby move on. We wish them nothing but the best as they graduate from Tinora High School. You two have shown the community great pride in your four years as members of the Tinora softball family.