By: Elliot Schneider
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
WAUSEON (April 12, 2025) – The Wauseon Indians fell to the Lake Flyers after surrendering big first and fourth innings, losing in a five-inning contest by mercy rule, 11-0. Lake pitcher Jay Blazevich had a strong outing, only giving up 3 hits, while allowing no earned runs.
The bats also came alive for the Flyers, scoring 11 runs on 10 hits as a team. Lake started the scoring early, securing five of their runs in the first inning.
The scoring run started with an RBI single by Blazevich, bringing in Gavin Kohlhofer. Then with the bases loaded, Kaiden Cousino hit an RBI sacrifice fly, plating Drew Tajbilk. An RBI single by Korbin Adkins followed, bringing home Blazevich.
Jace Ayers wrapped up the first inning scoring for the Flyers with a two out 2-run RBI single, plating Adkins and Jack Sobczak. Just like that, the Flyers had secured a solid lead after just the first inning.
Wauseon’s first inning looked like the Indians were ready to produce on the offensive as well, with Caleb Kissel and Kahle Albright both hitting singles to start the inning. Instead of capitalizing, the Indians made a big mistake on the base path.
With one out in the inning, Max Russell flew out to center fielder Cousino, who made an exceptional grab on the play. Kissel and Albright both advanced, thinking the ball would surely drop.
Instead, Kissel was tagged out as Lake secured the great double play to end the first inning, leaving the Indians scoreless.
The bats were quiet in the second inning for both teams, with Sobczak being the only batter to reach base for either team. He reached on an error after hitting a fly ball to Albright.
Lake’s third inning saw three up and three down, with Wauseon’s Camden Sherman securing a strikeout against Zaiden Kohlenberg in the inning.
In the bottom of the third, Wauseon had an opportunity to put points on the board. With two outs, Thad Reckner reached base on a walk, followed by Kissel reaching base due to being hit by a pitch.
Albright followed with a pop-out to the shortstop Sobczak, leaving the runners stranded and leaving Wauseon scoreless for the game.
Following some key missed opportunities by Wauseon, the Flyers did the opposite and broke the game wide open with a big fourth inning. The scoring run started with an RBI single from Blazevich, bringing home Kohlhofer.
With zero outs and the bases loaded, Cousino lined a double into the gap in left, bringing in two more runs. With Tajbilk and Blazvech crossing the plate, Lake extended their lead 8-0.
Jaxson Rymers added to the scoring with an RBI single when he laid down a great bunt, in which he secured the run and reached base.
The scoring run ended with a 2-run single by Kohlhofer, plating Korbin Adkins and Cousino. The Flyer’s lead was 11-0 by the end of the inning, which had them on pace for a mercy rule victory.
Wauseon’s final two innings only saw three batters reach base, with only one of those being a hit. It was when Rico Vasquez singled to right, but the rest of the Indians struggled to capitalize.
Lake put on an all-around dominant performance, showing off both their hitting and pitching. Wauseon was competitive and had multiple opportunities but struggled with runners in scoring position.
LHS 500 60 – 11 10 0
WHS 000 00 – 0 3 6
Records: LHS 5-1, WHS 1-4
WINNING PITCHER: Blazevich (4 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk)
LOSING PITCHER: Sherman (3.1 innings, 9 hits, 11 runs, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks)
LEADING HITTERS: (Lake) Kohlhofer – 3 singles, 2 RBI; Blazevich – 2 singles, 2 RBI; Cousino – 1 double, sacrifice fly, 3 RBI; (Wauseon) Vasquez – single; Kissel – single; Albright – single