Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

COLDWATER - The two-time defending Division IV state champions Minster was on a path to returning to state, being ranked No. 1 all season and having a dominant pitcher and solid offense.

However, the Wildcats (21-3) decided to go with their number two pitcher, Devon Poeppelman, holding back Ohio State recruit Adam Niemeyer for St. Henry (A team who handed Minster one of its two losses going into tournament action). The decision did not pay off for Minster as No. 23 Crestview (16-6) greeted the senior with seven runs in the first inning.

After a strikeout, Poeppelman allowed a single to his counterpart Damian Helm, plunked junior shortstop Bryce Richardson with a pitch and walked senior first baseman Jake Harmon to load the bases. Poeppelman then recorded another strikeout, but then a passed ball allowed Helm to score from third and give Crestview a 1-0 lead.

Senior left fielder Venice Roberts then walked to load the bases again. Sophomore catcher Nate Owens then had a two-run single, sophomore right fielder Jordan Roop and junior second baseman Brock Rolsten an RBI double to blow the game wide open.

Junior center fielder Cam Etzler reached on error to score Rolsten and make the score 7-0 in his second at bat of the inning. Helm then walked bringing an end of the day on the mound for Poeppelman, who was unable to get out of the first inning and Minster coach Mike Wiss had to change his plans and go with Niemeyer. The Minster ace got a quick strikeout to end the inning, but not before the seven runs scored for Crestview.

Niemeyer went the final 6 1/3 innings allowing three runs while striking out 14.

The seven runs were more than enough for Helm, Crestview's left-handed ace. Helm, a junior, allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 10 in his 120-pitch outing.

Helm also had a good day at the plate. He had a single, a double and a triple in going 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored.

Poeppelman had a pair of doubles with an RBI and a run for Minster, and Ethan Wolf added a double and an RBI.

The Knights went on to defeat Minster 10-2.

Crestview, with the win, advances to Friday's district championship game against state No. 10 St. Henry (23-5), who was a 6-2 winner over Ottoville (9-11) in game two at Coldwater.

To view scouting notes from this game, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week.