PBR Spotlight Game: No. 14 Patrick Henry (D-IV) at No. 12 Ayersville (D-IV)

DEFIANCE, OH - Two of the more talented Division IV teams squared off on Thursday night, with the Pilots flying off in walk-off fashion 3-2.

No. 12 ranked Ayersville clawed back down 2-1 in the fifth to top No. 14 ranked Patrick Henry. 

In the bottom of the seventh, a one-out triple by unsigned senior Zack Clark changed the complexion of the inning and the Patriots decided to intentionally walk the next two batters to load the bases, bringing to the plate unsigned senior Luke Lawson (pictured right).

The shortstop blooped a single over second base to score Odom for a walk-off win.

Patrick Henry got the scoring started in the second inning. A one out walk to Derek Kolpien, a wild pitch and another walk to Jake Montana put two on, and a groundout scored Kolpien to put PH on top 1-0.

Ayersville struck back in the third.

Unsigned senior Matt Engel and talented sophomore Jacob Kahle laced back-to-back singles, with Engel scoring on a wild pitch to knot the game 1-1.

The Patriots went back on top in the fifth. Brad Breece started the frame off reaching base on an error. Senior's Derek Hoops and Kollin Spence hit back-to-back singles that scored Breece to go on top 2-1.

Ayersville answered with one in the bottom of the frame. Senior catcher Zachrich roped a lead-off single. After a groundout, Engel laced another single moving Zachrich up to third, later scoring on a groundout to knot the game at 2-2.

Notable performances in the game:

• Matt Engel, the unsigned senior played 1st base in the game, but picked up the win on the mound, throwing just one pitch (a groundout). At the plate, Engel had two singles. Engel will be on the mound tonight, with a full report coming after.
• Jacob Kahle (pictured right), the talented sophomore LHP  went four innings allowing just one run on one hit and four walks while striking out four. Kahle also showcased a good left-handed stroke at the plate with two singles.
• Luke Lawson, the unsigned senior shortstop/RHP had the walk-off single in the bottom of the 7th.
• Zack Clark, the unsigned senior had a single and triple, scoring the winning run.
• Dauson Dales, the talented freshman had a double and looks the part at the plate. One to watch down the road.

Linescore

Patrick Henry 010 010 0 - 2 4 2

Ayersville       001 010 1 - 3 8 4

Records: Ayersville 17-4, Patrick Henry 16-7.

Winning pitcher: Matt Engel (1/3 innings, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 strikeouts, 0 walks). Others: Jacob Kahle (4 innings, 1 run, 1 hit, 4 strikeouts, 4 walks), Clay Long.

Losing pitcher: Logan Ziegler (1/3 innings, 1 run, 2 hits, 0 strikeouts, 2 walks). Other: Kyler Seemann (6 innings, 2 runs, 6 hits, 3 strikeouts, 2 walks).

Leading hitters: (Ayersville) - Matt Engel 2 singles; Jacob Kahle 2 singles; Zack Clark single, triple; Dauson Dales double. (Patrick Henry) - Kollin Spence 2 singles.

To view scouting notes about games across Ohio, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week.

To discuss this game, please visit our partner JJHuddle.