PBR Spotlight Game: Otsego vs. Evergreen

By Dylan Hefflinger

DEFIANCE- Otsego continued its surprising tournament run with a dramatic 7-6 come-from-behind win over Metamora Evergreen in the Division III district semifinals at Booster Field in Defiance.

Otsego, just 13-11 on the season, scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to stun the Vikings (16-7) and earn a berth in the district finals.

Kevin Vollmer, the seven-hole hitter, led off the Otsego seventh with a single and, after two outs were recorded, lead-off hitter Dustin Peper walked. Collin Austin was hit by a pitch and Nolan Hackworth tied the game with a two-run single to left field.

Nate Downs then capped off the three-run seventh with a game-winning single to left.

Evergreen, which went in front with three runs in the top of the first inning, broke a 4-4 tie by plating two runs in the top of the seventh. With one away, two walks, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Kyle Kern-Blyston gave the Vikings a 5-4 lead. Kurtis Pierce made it 6-4 with a single before Hackworth was able to get out of the jam.

Austin and Hackworth each hit two singles to lead the Knights, which have just two seniors on their roster.

Junior shortstop Dylan Henricks, who came on in relief and suffered the loss, had a single and double for Evergreen.

Otsego will now take on Northern Buckeye Conference rival Millbury Lake in Saturday's 7:00 p.m. finals No. 4 Lake beat Otsego 4-1 and 8-4 during the regular season.