SHERWOOD – In a game that went over three hours long, was down to it’s last few minutes of daylight, a conference game neither team could afford to lose, the Tinora Rams rallied in thrilling fashion as they defeated Fairview 11-9.
The two masters of the diamond were in full force, as longtime Fairview coach Andy Singer, and Rams head coach Brent Renollet matched up for the 33 time. With 43 combined coaching years and over 700 combined wins, the coaches were in for an epic, sometimes agonizing contest.
The game also saw the Rams trot out five pitchers, use every available position player, and see longtime Rams head coach Brent Renollet seem to contemplate retiring about a dozen times, somehow Tinora rallied for the thrilling win.
The Rams broke open the scoring in the first inning as Kadyn Radzik send a double to the right field wall, scoring Ayden Moser, giving Tinora an early 1-0 lead.
Fairview wasted no time in getting on the board as the Apaches plated five in their half of the first inning, grabbing a 5-1 lead. Abram Shininger cleared the bases for Fairview with a double to the wall.
Kayden Radzik got the start for the Rams, but lasted just 2/3 of an inning before being replaced by Hunter Bostelman.
Tinora would add their second run off of Fairview starter Jackson Grine in the top of the second as Dalton Wolfrum would score run two as Hunter Bostelman would strike out, but a dropped third strike throw to first would allow Wolfrum to dart home, cutting the Apache lead to 5-2.
Fairview would add a single run in their bottom of the second inning, grabbing a 6-2 lead. Eli Shininger would knock in Kolton Schooley for the six Fairview run.
Tinora would climb back in the game in the top of the fifth as they would cut the lead to 6-5. Alec Schaublin would double, scoring Moser and Radzik with runs four and five.
Just as Tinora would battle back to within one, Fairview’s Adam Lashaway would send am Eli Plassman pitch over the center field wall for a two run homerun, increasing the Fairview lead back to 8-5 after five innings of play.
The Rams would add a single run in the sixth, BJ Morlock would open the inning with a double, the would score on a Grady Gustwiller RBI infield single to short. The Rams still trailed 8-6 as we entered the top of the seventh inning.
The first three hitters to face freshman Elijah Arend would reach, all singles into left field, Teron Ward started the Rally, Luke Harris would follow with a single, as well as Dalton Wolfrum. Hunter Bostelman’s RBI single cut the lead to 8-7.
Tinora would tie the game at 8-8 as Luke Harris would score on a wild pitch.
The Rams were not done, still batting with one out, Hunter Bostelman would double to the right field wall, Kadyn Radzik would cap the five run rally as he would double in Moser, Tinora led 11-8 after the top of the seventh.
Fairview would not go quietly. Adam Lashaway would start the frame by doubling to left field down the line. Kolton Schooley would walk, putting runners at first and second with no one out. A wild pitch would move the Fairview runners up to second and third with no one out. Breaven Williams would walk to load the bases with no one out.
Rams headman Brent Renollet would make his fifth and final pitching change as he would summon in BJ Morlock, replacing Alec Schaublin.
Eli Shininger would fly out to center, a great catch by Rams center fielder Grady Gustwiller would be out one, Lashaway would tag and score, cutting the Rams lead to 11-9.
A Morlock balk would move the Apache runners up to second and third with just one out.
Morlock would strike out the next two Fairview batters, Jackson Grine and June Shininger, putting out the fire on the Fairview rally. Tinora would exit with a thrilling 11-9 win at Fairview.
Tinora improved to 7-1, 2-1 in the GMC, The Rams are off until Monday when they will face Waite.
Fairview falls to 5-5, 1-2 in the GMC. Fairview will take on Archbold on Friday.
The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Tinora junior, BJ Morlock. Morlock
