(Thursday, May 14th 2015): WAUSEON—Coach Trent Thomas and the Indians have stepped up yet again with a display of clutch hitting ands breakable focus. The Indians welcomed the Napoleon Wildcats at home in the District Sectionals game on Thursday with high hopes of overcoming a formidable opponent.
Peyten Shadbolt got things started off for Wauseon on the mound. Shadbolt would walk a runner who would score on a ground-out allowing Napoleon to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st. After Wauseon retired the side, things were quiet offensively until the Indians garnered 3 consecutive walks to load the bases in the bottom of the 3rd
inning. A wild throw in a ground-out attempt would allow Senior Jacob Newlove to drive in 2 runs and remain on 1st. Another walk forced the bases loaded once more; Nate Suntken would single to left as 1 runner would score—Newlove attempted to get home on the play but was tagged out to end the inning.
Shadbolt continued to pitch admirably with help from the defense to hold off the Wildcats. One run was allowed in the 5th after a single followed by a wild pitch to put a runner in scoring position. A ground-out to first base moved the runner to 3rd, who eventually scored on a single to left.
The 6th inning would pass quickly as the Indians were just three outs away from victory; however, nerves would arise quickly as Napoleon began slowly chipping away at Shadbolt on the mound. After two singles, a wild pitch advanced the runners followed by a walk to load the bases. Shadbolt would be pulled after pitching 6.1 innings with 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks, throwing over .500% strikes.
Brady Kinnersly would take over the mound and attempt to get the save for the Indians. With 1 down, a fly out to center kept the runners from advancing. A ground ball thrown to first is called safe allowing the tying run to score. The inning came to an end after a fly out to deep center field.
Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 7th, the possibility of extra innings was a likely possibility: after a fly out to center and ground out to second, the Indians had 2 outs and one shot to surpass the Wildcats. A change of pace unraveled when Brady Rupp walked and stole 2nd with Newlove at bat. Jacob would end the game on a walk-off single to deep center field allowing Rupp to score and win the sectional against Napoleon 4-3.
Shadbolt, Kinnersly, and Rupp would all score in the sectional victory against Napoleon; Newlove would total 3 RBIs on the night.
Wauseon’s overall record rose to 18-7; the Indians will play at Fairview on Monday the 18th.