Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

COLUMBUS GROVE - After back-to-back successful seasons (25-4 2012, 23-1 2011) that ended with tournament defeats to eventual state participants, Leipsic was thought to be in a "rebuilding mode" this spring. But knocking off a team that many thought would be the favorite in the Putnam County League may change that notion after the Vikings beat Columbus Grove 6-5 on Friday.

Leipsic got out to an early 1-0 advantage in the 1st inning as the two-hole hitter Jason Niese reached for the first of his three times with a single. Logan Hasselman followed with a walk and, after a fielder's choice put runners on the corners, Dylan Schey roped a single up the middle scoring Niese.

Columbus Grove answered in the bottom of the 2nd scoring five runs.

Kody Griffith and Josh Verhoff led the inning off with back-to-back singles and Elijah Jones was hit by a pitch loading the bases. After a strikeout, a bases-loaded walk to Black Hoffman scored Griffith. Brandon Benroth followed with an RBI single up the middle scoring two.

Three-hole hitter Matt Jay followed with a huge blast to right-center field, that fell for a double scoring two to put the Bulldogs up 5-1.

The Vikings took the lead back in the top of the 3rd scoring five of their own.

Niese again was the catalyst, starting the inning off with his second single. A base hit to left by Hasselman put runners at first and second, bringing to the plate Daniel DeLarosa. Delarosa put down a perfect bunt toward third base for a single loading the bases.

Schey then followed with a line shot up the middle scoring Niese to cut the lead to 5-2. Logan Haselman then hit a ball to third in which the Bulldog third baseman made a bad throw to first allowing two runs to score. After a single loaded the bases, Pierce Henry placed down a perfect squeeze bunt to put the Vikings on top for good 6-5.

Leipsic made the lead stand behind the pitching of Logan Haselman and Dylan Schey. Haselman picked up the win with Schey the save.

Coming up later this weekend will be a scouting report on some Division IV northwest Ohio players, including those from Leipsic and Columbus Grove.

Linescore

Leipsic     105 000 0 - 6 13 1

Col. Grove 050 000 0 - 5 8 4

Records: Leipsic 2-0 (1-0 PCL), Columbus Grove 2-1 (0-1 PCL).

Winning pitcher: Logan Haselman (3 1/3 innings, 0 R, 3 hits, 1 K, 2 BB). Others: Devin Mangas (1 1/3 inning, 5 R, 4 hits, 3 K, 1 BB),  Dylan Schey.

Losing pitcher: Trey Roney (4 1/3 innings, 6 R, 11 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB). Other: Josh Verhoff.

Leading hitters: (Leipsic, 13 hits) - Jason Niese 3 singles; Logan Haselman 2 singles; Dylan Schey 2 singles; Pierce Henry 2 singles; Josh Gerten 3 singles. (Columbus Grove, 8 hits) - Brandon Benroth 2 singles; Matt Jay double; Kody Griffith 2 singles.