On a day of celebrating the 2021 seniors, two seniors shined bright in the moment. With fans, parents, and coaches on hand, the seven Tinora Rams seniors were honored before the final regular-season game against the Delta Panthers. Honored were Ben Mendez, Zach Spychala, Andrew Imthurn, Marcus & Max Grube, Kade Vogelsong, & Jacob Bailey.
Tinora took their 22-4 record into the season’s final game against the 7-15 Panthers of Delta. On the hill for the Rams was senior right-hander Kade Vogelsong. Vogelsong brought his 2-0 record and 3.78 ERA against the Panther bats who came in winning three of their last four games.
Delta leadoff hitter Hunter Hamilton sent a 3-0 pitch to the right-field wall for a leadoff triple. Chase Stickley followed with an opposite-field double, scoring Hamilton to put the Panthers on top, 1-0 after just two batters. The senior righty taking the hill on senior night then righted the ship. Vogelsong retired the next 13 straight Panther hitters, not allowing a base runner until a one-out double in the top of the fifth inning.
Vogelsong went the distance, shutting out the Panthers over five innings for his third win. Kade Vogelsong allowed just three hits, striking out seven while walking just one. A great way to end senior day at Tinora.
The Rams bats came out hot in the first inning, scoring four runs highlighted by RBI singles by Cole Commisso & Casen Wolfrum.
Tinora took a 4-1 lead into the second inning, RBI singles by senior Andrew Imthurn and another by Cole Commisso gave the Rams a 6-0 lead after two innings.
In the bottom of the third, Rams first baseman, sophomore Christian Commisso, sent a 1-2 pitch over the 2014 State Champions banner in left-center field for a solo home run, giving the Rams a 7-0 lead after three.
Delta held the Rams scoreless in the fourth. After one out in the fifth, the Rams started a rally. A walk to Nolan Schafer, followed by a Marcus Grube single, and a Delta error allowed Imthurn to reach and load the bases. Cole Commisso stepped up again smashing a bases-clearing triple over the head of the Delta center fielder, making it Tinora 10 Delta 1.
Up stepped Rams senior utility player Jacob Bailey with a chance to win the game. On senior night 2021, Jacob Bailey did not disappoint. Bailey sent a smash off the Panthers drawn-in infield’s second baseman, scoring Cole Commisso for the game-winning run, 11-1.
With the win, Tinora improves to 23-4 as they await the winner of Thursday’s Delta vs Fairview sectional opener.
Delta falls to 7-16 as they travel to Fairview on Wednesday.
Prior to the game, Rams senior Andrew Imthurn was named the Green Meadows Conference player of the game.
The Rams entered the week as the #9 team in the DIV III coaches poll.
The Higbea Embroidery player of the game goes to the entire Tinora senior class of Ben Mendez, Zach Spychala, Andrew Imthurn, Marcus & Max Grube, Kade Vogelsong, & Jacob Bailey. This class went 19-1 in GMC play over their 3 years (no 2020 season), as well as a 56-17 overall record in just three seasons.
Hitting:
Nolan Schafer: 1-2, 2 BB, 3 R
Marcus Grube: 3-4, 2B, 3 R
Cole Commisso: 3-4 (HR short of the cycle), 5 RBI, R
Christian Commisso: 2-3, HR, 2 RBI
Pitching:
Kade Vogelsong: W, 5 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K
