MAKING THE PLAY … Delta shortstop Emric Friess fields and fires to first base after scooping up a grounder.
PHOTOS BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SEVEN STRONG … Carson Bond allowed just two hits and recorded six strikeouts over seven innings as Swanton blanked NWOAL rival Delta 2-0 in the Division V sectional finals. VIEW 87 PHOTOS OF THIS CONTEST FOR FREE AT WWW.THEVILLAGEREPORTER.COM
By: Joe Blystone
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
SWANTON (May 25, 2026) – Swanton’s Carson Bond was in control from start to finish as the Bulldog right-hander gave up only one walk and two hits in a 2-0 victory that put Swanton in the Division V district tournament.
The Bulldogs’ (16-10) opponent will be top-seeded Archbold (22-5) today at Defiance High School.
“He’s been solid all year,” Bulldog coach Josh Siewert said of Bond. “We just asked him to throw strikes, don’t walk anybody, which he only had one, and asked our guys to play defense.”
Delta (11-12) really only had one opportunity to dent the scoreboard. That chance came in the sixth inning when Lane Lopez reached second on Carsen Lemons’ throwing error, and went to third on a sacrifice.
However, Bond got Carlos DeSantos on a foul pop, and Carter Morr on a ground ball to get out of the inning.
Swanton’s chances to score were also limited against DeSantos, but the Bulldogs made the most of a second-inning rally to mark both runs in the game.
Owen Hurst led off the inning with a walk, went to second on a wild pitch, then scored when Brendan Upham’s floating fly ball in right-center fell for a hit to put Swanton on top.
A second walk to Drew LaPoint, a passed ball and a bounce out plated the second run, giving Bond all the runs he would need.
“We’ve done this the three times we have faced (DeSantos),” Siewert said. “1-0, 3-1 and 2-0. Our kids know that if we can scrap one or two runs out and we can play defense and throw strikes we will be in every game.”
DeSantos worked himself out of a jam in the sixth when, after walking the first two hitters, he threw out a runner at third on a bunt attempt, then got a pop out to right and a bounce out to escape any damage.
The Panthers’ hurler walked five and struck out six. Bond also chalked up six strikeouts on the day.
DHS 000 000 0 – 0 2 0
SHS 020 000 x – 2 2 2
WP- Carson Bond (IP-7, R-0, H-2, K-6, BB-1)
LP- Carlos DeSantos (IP-7, R-2, H-2, K-6, BB-5)
LEADING HITTERS: (Swanton) Brendan Upham – single, RBI; (Delta) – 2 singles
