Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

COLDWATER - A rematch of the district finals in 2012 goes the way of the Cavaliers. After losing to LCC in the tournament last season, the Cavs of Coldwater had revenge on their mind and it was mission accomplished after defeating the T-Birds 4-3.

LCC took the lead in the top of the 6th at 3-2, but the Cavs battled back in the bottom of the 6th. Junior Matt Kramer led the inning off with a single. After a sac bunt and groundout to second, junior lead-off hitter Mitch Hayne hit a hard groundball to shortstop that normally reliable junior Collin Stolly let go through the five-hole to put the Cavaliers up 4-3.

Coldwater needed just three more outs to finish the game, but those outs did not come too easy. After the first two batters in the 7th were retired on a groundout and strikeout, some craziness ensued. A hit-by-pitch and walk to LCC's 3-4 hitters Drew Jennings and Connor Dee put runners on first and second.

Coldwater then called for a pick-off play that was run to perfection - almost. The Cavs tricked Jennings at second, making him think the ball was in the outfield on a fake throw. However, the throw to third to nail Jennings was late, putting runners on the corners. T-Bird senior second baseman Nick Watkins followed with a shot to third that would have tied the game had it gone through. But sophomore Derek Thobe, who moved to third after starting the game on the mound, fielded the hard grounder and threw a seed to first for the final out.

 

 

 

 

Coldwater got on top in the first with a two-run double over the center fielders head by star freshman Malave Bettinger, scoring Hayne and junior Drew Otten, putting the Cavs up 2-0.

The T-Birds evened the game after scoring one in the third and one in the fourth. First, LCC senior Corey O'Dowd blasted a home run to cut the deficit in half. In the fourth, Watkins laced a one-out single. After a strikeout, three straight walks tied the game at two.

Bettinger (pictured), a talented 6-1 200-pound freshman, finished the game 3-3 with two line-drive singles, a double and two RBIs.

Thobe got the start on the mound going 4 1/3 innings allowing just four hits. Senior Matt Selhorst threw the final 2 2/3 allowing one hit while striking out two to pick up the win.

Coldwater's (6-1) next game is Thursday at home vs. Eaton, while LCC (2-3) plays host to Lima Senior Tuesday.

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

Linescore

Lima CC   001 110 0   3 runs  5 hits  2 E
Coldwater  200 011 x   4 runs 8 hits  1 E