Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

DEFIANCE - Tinora showed Thursday why they have some of the best underclassmen talent in the state, especially for Division IV, as the Rams topped Ayersville 6-2.

The Rams (ranked No. 8) have 10 underclassmen on the 12-man varsity roster and most of them contributed on Thursday as Tinora extends its Green Meadows Conference winning streak to 36 games.

"They come to the park with expectations," Ayersville coach Chad Donsbach said of Tinora's GMC streak. "The other teams (in the league) are trying to get there. They have an advantage because of that."

With the score knotted at 1-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth, Ayersville (ranked No. 14 Division IV) had Tinora in striking distance, but the wheels fell off a bit in the fifth and sixth for the Pilots.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Top Prospect Games participant Reid Renollet laced a double to right-center field. Clay Pittman (pictured left), who put the Rams on top 1-0 in the first with a home run to left, struck out but reached first with Renollet advancing to third on a dropped third strike.

Derek Drewes (picture right), a Top Prospect Games participant, came to the plate with runners on the corners and the Rams' shortstop put Tinora up for good with a line shot up the middle plating Renollet.

The scoring was not over for the Rams, however, as talented freshman Brevin Renollet (Reid's younger brother) loaded the bases on a bunt. Luke Lawson (2014 RHP) struck out the next batter, but freshman Dakota Stark ripped a 1-2 pitch up the middle to plate Pittman and Drewes to put the Rams on top 4-1.

Tinora added two insurance runs in the sixth. With one out, talented sophomore EJ Kissel doubled. Ayersville coach Chad Donsback then decided to replace Lawson with unsigned senior left-hander Mason Aelker. Reid Renollet and Drewes both walked to load the bases and Kissell scored on a wild pitch. An RBI bunt single by Brevin Renollet scored older brother Reid to put the Rams up 6-1.

The Renollet brothers (Reid left, Brevin right) combined to give up two runs (only one earned) on just three hits while striking out a total of nine batters, but walked eight.

 

The Renollet's were helped by some fantastic defensive plays behind them. Junior left fielder Logan Dickerson made an over-the-shoulder catch on the lead-off hitter in the third. In the fifth with two outs and a runner on third, Drewes (pictured below) made a fantastic web gem at shortstop as he went past second base to cut off a ball that looked to be headed to center gathering himself and making a strong throw to get the runner. Unsigned senior Dylan Rumbaugh also made an over-the-shoulder catch in right field in the sixth when two runners were on base.
Ayersville unsigned senior Joe Goonan paced the Pilots' offense with an RBI single and a double, while Lawson ripped a triple while also being walked twice.

The Rams (10-5) look to stay hot with games against Montpelier on Friday and Evergreen on Saturday. Tournament play begins for Tinora on Tuesday with the Rams playing in the sectional final against the winner of Saturday's game between Continental and Pettisville.

Ayersville (13-7) opens tournament play on Thursday against the winner of Saturday's Holgate and Hicksville sectional game at Napoleon.