Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

MINSTER - After last season's three-hour, 15-inning epic clash, I had this date circled on my calender with great anticipation to see how Minster and Ohio State University recruit Adam Niemeyer would respond after losing to Coldwater a year ago.

The two-time defending Division IV state champion Minster Wildcats (Ranked No. 1 all season) got its revenge, shutting out Coldwater (No. 8, Division III) 2-0.

Niemeyer (pictured) was dominant, going the distance allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out eight.The talented righty showcased confidence in three pitches, commanding an 85-87 mph fastball that topped out at 88 a couple times. The future Buckeye broke off a 67-70 mph curve with good downward movement, but his best pitch on the day was a change-up. While sitting in the stands, Coldwater fans kept asking  "how fast was that pitch" after any one of their players would strikeout. I looked at the gun and said that was just 79-80. The reason I say that is because of how much he makes his change-up look like his fastball, the resemblance was impeccable. The movement on the change-up made it unhittable on this day, with five of his eight strikeouts coming via the change-ups. In fact, no Coldwater hitter made contact against Niemeyer's change-up.

After the impressive performance Niemeyer has now pitched 22 innings allowing just one earned run on seven hits and three walks. The dominant righty also has 39 strikeouts in those 22 innings, while moving to 4-0 on the season.

"Adam (Niemeyer) that's inning number 22 on the season, he has only thrown 22 innings now," stated Minster head coach Mike Wiss. "Adam, this is his time, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth week, he is going to get those opportunities and today he was on."

Coldwater coach Brian Harlamert agreed.

"We knew what (Adam) Niemeyer could do, and he was solid today," stated Harlamert. "He was very solid today, sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the opponent. He was right on it."

The Wildcats scored their runs in the first and the fourth capitalizing on passed balls, wild pitches and walks. In the first, unsigned senior lead-off hitter Jay Eilerman reached via the walk, stealing second and reaching third thanks to a wild pitch. Niemeyer drove in Eilerman with a line drive single up the middle.

In the fourth inning the Wildcats added a two-out insurance run. After the first two batters grounded out, eight-hole hitter Brandon Hoying ripped a single reaching second on a passed ball and third on another passed ball. Nine-hole hitter Josh Nixon walked to put runners on the corners and a wild pitch scored Hoying with the second and last run of the game.

Coldwater's best scoring chance came in the fourth inning as Mitch Heyne singled and stole second. With two outs the Cavaliers' junior pitcher Grant Muhlencamp drew a full-count walk but Heyne, who was stealing on the play, made a mental mistake and stopped in between second and third with third base there for the taking. Heyne was eventually tagged out in a rundown ending the Cavalier threat.

Muhlencamp (pictured left) threw the ball well for Coldwater, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out five. Unsigned senior Christian Schramm finished out in the seventh inning blowing away two batters while allowing one hit.

Coldwater freshman three-hole hitter Malave Bettinger roped a single to left for his only hit of the game, but the kid can definitely swing the bat. More on the talented left-handed hitter in the scouting blog.

Minster (14-1) looks to continue its dominance hosting Lima Bath on Thursday.

Coldwater (14-3) will look to get back on track as the Cavs host New Knoxville on Friday.

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

Please visit the Unsigned Senior Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week.

To discuss this game, please visit our partner JJHuddle.
 Linescore

Coldwater  000 000 0 - 0 2 0

Minster     100 100 x - 2 6 0

Winning pitcher: Adam Niemeyer (7 innings, 0 runs, 2 hits, 8 strikeouts, 2 walks).

Losing pitcher: Grant Muhlenkamp (6 innings, 2 runs, 5 hits, 5 strikeouts, 4 walks). Other: Christian Schramm (1 inning, 0 runs, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts, 0 walks).

Leading hitters: (Coldwater, 2 hits) - Malave Bettinger single; Mitch Heyne single. (Minster, 6 hits) - Adam Niemeyer single; Devon Poeppelman single; Clay Brown single; Brandon Hoying 2 singles.