Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

DEFIANCE - With tournament action under way it is time for the aces of their respected teams to show up and help their teams move on. In the two Division II games in Defiance this was most definitely evident.

The first game of sectional action was between Napoleon (8-15) and Van Wert (12-12), while the second game pitted Bowling Green (12-8) and No. 16 Bryan (16-8).

On a chilly night at Booster Field, Napoleon's bats were cold through the first six innings scoring just one run on two hits. Down to their final three outs and trailing 3-1, the Wildcats clawed back to keep their tournament hopes alive, scoring three in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Van Wert 4-3.

Senior David Yunker (pitcure below) got the rally started blasting a solo shot to left field. The home run was Yunker's first of his high school career. Sophomore shortstop Michael Gilliland then reached base on an error, the third time he got on base in the game. Junior three-hole hitter Tyler Torrez laid down a bunt single to put two on with none out and senior clean-up hitter Brian Flowers followed with a single to load the bases. Junior Jacob Lerch then hit a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at 3-3.
After a strikeout, freshman Zach Leatherman walked before fellow freshman Brady Kinnersley stepped to the plate with a chance to be a hero. The youngster ripped a single to left-center field to score Torrez and the Wildcat celebration ensued (picture below). 

 

Zach Willeman (picture left) went five and two-thirds innings allowing three runs on three hits while walking three. The talented junior right-hander struck out 11 Cougars in the game.

Napoleon now has the tough task of facing arch-rival, No. 1 rated Defiance on Friday.

The nightcap featured a pitchers' duel between two seniors, Bowling Green's Nolan Dill (unsigned, pictured left) and Bryan's Blake Kuszmaul (Owens CC recruit, pictured right). 
 

The scored remained deadlocked at 0-0 through the first four innings with both pitchers getting out of a number of jams, as both teams had baserunners reach scoring position numerous times.

Bryan had a golden opportunity in the third, as speedy lead-off hitter Collin Bacon tried to advance to third on a pop out to Bowling Green catcher Robert Tyrrell when Bacon saw the Bobcats' third baseman Devin Apple off of third. The decision backfired, however, as Tyrrell fired a rocket to Apple, who tagged out Bacon (pictured).
The scoreless tie finally was broken when Bowling Green got on top in the fifth. Apple got the inning started with a single and Eastern Illinois recruit and Top Prospect Games participant Andy Fisher then laced a single to put two on with none out. After a ground out, walk and strike out, opposing pitcher Dill got hit on the foot to plate Apple to put the Bobcats up 1-0. 

Bryan answered with a run in the sixth as Kuszmaul led off the inning with a single and took second on a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt by junior Austin Martin. Talented sophomore shortstop Nate Rau plated Kuszmaul with a single to knot the score at 1-1.

Bowling Green, which has suffered seven of its eight losses by one run or in extra innings, answered the Golden Bears' run, however, with one of its own in the bottom of the frame. With one out, junior Ricky Riggs singled and moved up to second on a single by Apple. Fisher then ripped his third hit of the game, a double to right, scoring Riggs (picture below).

Fisher came in to shut down Bryan in the seventh to secure a 2-1 victory helping Bowling Green advance to face No. 3 ranked Wauseon on Friday.

Dill went six innings allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out four. Kuszmaul kept his team in the game going five and one-third innings allowing two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five.

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

To view notes on unsigned seniors please visit the Unsigned Senior Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week.

To discuss this game, please visit our partner JJHuddle.

Van Wert        200  000  1  -  3  4  2  

Napoleon       000  010  3  -  4  6  0    

Winning pitcher: Brian Flowers (1/3 innings, 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 strikeout, 0 walks). Other: Zach Willeman (5 2/3 innings, 3 runs, 3 hits, 11 strikeouts, 2 walks). 

Losing pitcher: Brant Henry (2 1/3 innings, 3 runs, 4 hits, 1 strikeout, 3 walks). Other: Nathan Stoller.

Leading hitters: (Napoleon, 6 hits) - David Yunker home run. (Van Wert, 4 hits) - Ryan Stoller 2 singles. 

Bryan               000  001  0  -  1  6  2 

Bowling Green  000  011  x  -  2  6  0

Winning pitcher: Nolan Dill (6 innings, 1 run, 6 hits, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk). Other: Andy Fisher.

Losing pitcher: Blake Kuszmaul (5 1/3 innings, 2 runs, 4 hits, 5 strikeouts, 4 walks). Other: Jordan Bostater.

Leading hitters: (Bowling Green, 6 hits) - Andy Fisher single, 2 doubles; Mason Apple 2 singles. (Bryan, 6 hits) - Jordan Bostater 2 doubles; Collin Bacon 2 singles.