Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

LIMA - Four talented teams that have been ranked a different points this season in Division IV squared off in Lima for a chance to claim a district crown. In game one Lima Bath and Patrick Henry battled while No. 18 Ottawa-Glandorf and last seasons state runner-up Lima Central Catholic played in the nightcap.

With horrible playing conditions due to on and off rain and strong winds the four teams had to battle the elements.

In the opener Lima Bath defeated Patrick Henry 9-5, while LCC nipped O-G 3-1 in game two.

In game one the Wildcats (16-12) got the on the board first when Caleb Norton was hit by a pitch to begin the game. The senior raced around the bases as the Patriots committed an error in the next at bat to put the 'Cats up 1-0. The Patriots (18-8) tied it up in the bottom half of the frame when lead-off hitter Derek Hoops led off with a single, moved to second on an infield hit by Kollin Spence and scored on an error to make it 1-1.

Bath scored four in the second inning as Patriot starter Logan Zeigler was unable to find the plate. A one out single by Jared Davis, a walk to Norton and an error loaded the bases. Doug Sanders and Eric Jordan drew back-to-back bases loaded walks to score two runs. After a pop out talented junior Colin Gossard drew the fourth walk of the inning. Cam Jenkins was then hit by a pitch to put the Wildcats up 5-1 and bringing an end of the day to the Patriots starter.

After the PH scored a run to cut the deficit to 5-2, Bath kept its offense rolling in the fourth scoring four to move in front 8-2. PH battled back in the bottom of the from scoring three to cut the deficit to 8-5. Bath scored one more in the fifth, which proved to be the final run of the game. The Wildcats move on to the District finals with the 9-5 victory over PH.

Spiece and Peterson had two singles each for PH, while Jordan had two singles and three RBIs to pace the Wildcats offense.

In the nightcap Lima Central Catholic (18-12) just continues to win (just like last season, where they reached the state finals). The T-Birds took advantage of three errors by Ottawa- Glandorf (16-5) to defeat the Titans 3-1.

With the game scoreless through the first three innings, LCC scored the first run of the game as Corey O'Dowd hit a single, moved to second on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on a passed ball. Ben Stolly lifted a lazy fly ball to shallow left field that appeared to be an easy out, but the Titan third baseman dropped it allowing O'Dowd to score.

The T-Birds added two more in the fifth when Colin Stolly walked, Defiance College recruit Nick Watkins hit a single and Connor Dee reached on an error at second allowing Stolly to score. Drew Jennings followed with a sac-fly allowing Watkins to score to make it 3-0.

O-G had scoring chances in the third and fourth innings, but in each inning the Titans had runners cut down at the plate to end the frames. The Titans finally scored in the fifth when Tyler Zender hit a single, stole second and scored on a double by Drew Schierloh to make it 3-1. The T-Birds stater Stolly ended the rally striking out the final batter of the inning.

Stolly, a talented junior went the distance on the mound allowing just one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out five.

Brad Croy and Zender each had a pair of singles for the Titans while Schierloh hit a double. Dee and O'Dowd each hit two singles for the T-Birds.

Bluffton University recruit Jaylen Von Sossan was the tough luck loser as the righty went the distance allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three.

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.

LINESCORES

Lima Bath 140 310 0 - 9 6 4

Pat. Henry 110 300 0 - 5 6 4

Winning pitcher: Logan Ziegler (1 2/3 innings, 5 runs, 1 hit, 0 strikeouts, 6 walks). Other: Josh Peterson.

Losing pitcher: Eric Jordan (3 1/3 innings, 0 runs, 0 hits, 2 strikeouts, 5 walks). Other: Colin Gossard.

Leading hitters: (Lima Bath, 6 hits) - Eric Jordan 2 singles, 3 RBIs; Jared Davis 2 singles. (Patrick Henry, 6 hits) - Kollin Spence 2 singles, Josh Peterson 2 singles.

O-G 000 001 0 - 1 7 3

LCC 000 120 x - 3 6 3

Winning pitcher: Colin Stolly (7 innings, 1 run, 7 hits, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks).

Losing pitcher: Jaylen Von Sossan (6 innings, 3 runs, 6 hits, 3 strikeouts, 2 walks).

Leading hitters: (O-G, 7 hits) - Brad Croy 2 singles; Tyler Zender 2 singles; Drew Schierloh double. (LCC, 6 hits) - Connor Dee 2 singles; Corey O'Dowd 2 singles.