FIRST RUN … Jude Armstrong slides across home plate in the first inning after a single by Koleton DeGroff. (PHOTO BY RICH HARDING, STAFF)
By: Nate Calvin
ARCHBOLD-The Indians grabbed an early lead against the state ranked Bulldogs, but Defiance quickly took the lead back in their first at-bat and pulled away to beat Wauseon 8-2.
Jude Armstrong got things going for Wauseon with a single and he would go to second on a sacrifice by Sam Krasula.
After a lineout by Eli Delgado, Koleton Degroff delivered with a single to bring home Armstrong from second to put Wauseon in front 1-0.
Defiance wasted no time in the bottom of the first to retake the lead as Jack Mortier and Bradyn Shaw singled before David Jimenez hit a two-run single to right to give Defiance a 2-1 advantage.
Wauseon responded in the second with a Brady Thomas (2-3) single, Cameron Cantu doubled, and Armstrong (2-3, 1 RBI) got his second hit of the game to score Thomas and tie the game 2-2.
The Bulldogs assumed the lead for good in the second against Wauseon starter Connar Penrod by getting two walks and a single to load the bases with one out.
Mortier had an RBI groundout for the first run of the inning and that was followed by a two-run single by Shaw to increase the lead to 5-2.
Wauseon would put two runners on in the fourth inning and get a leadoff walk by Clay Stump in the sixth, but Defiance starter Jayden Jerger was able to keep the Indians off the board.
The state ranked Bulldogs added three insurance runs in the sixth as a walk and three singles plated two runs and made it a 7-2 game.
Penrod would then walk Camden Roth to load the bases as Wauseon brought in relief pitcher Maddux Chamberlin.
Chamberlin struck out Jimenez before walking Wade Liffick to force home Mortier and make the final margin 8-2.
Shaw led the Bulldogs offense with a 3-3 day and drove in three runs. Defiance is scheduled to take on Toledo Central Catholic in the Division II district final at Archbold on Saturday.
Wauseon ends the season with record of 19-7.
SCORE BY INNINGS R H E
Wauseon 110 000 0 2 6 0
Defiance 230 003 x 8 9 1
Nate can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com