ELIDA – It was elimination day in the District 5 ACME baseball tournament and Crestview took care of business as they stayed unbeaten with a 5-4 win over Elida.
The Knights used a two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to knock off the Bulldogs and advance to the tournament finals, scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at Elida’s Dick Prince Field.
It was a back and forth affair and the two teams went to the seventh inning tied at 3-3. The Bulldogs plated single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings while the Knights scored single runs in the first, third and fourth innings.
Elida short-stop Noah Adcock led off the top of the seventh and reached base via an error. He advanced to second when third baseman TJ Whipple coaxed a walk. Luke Burger then doubled home Adcock to give Elida (14-5) the lead at 4-3. But Crestview relief pitcher Kole Small retired the next two batters to hold Elida to only one run in the inning.
Crestview (8-9) loaded the bases via a lead-off walk, an Elida error, and an intentional walk. Third baseman Dylan Hicks then hit a shot to third base that Whipple fired home to get the force out but the Knights still had the bases loaded with only one out.
First baseman Derek stout then lined a single that scored two Crestview runners and gave them the come from behind victory.
“I was just trying to put it in play; I hit it where it was pitched.” Stout said of his game winning hit. “It feels amazing.”
Crestview coach Jeff Helm was proud of the effort put forth by his squad.
“These kids don’t want to quit, (starting pitcher) Caden Hurless kept us in the game and Kole Small limited the damage.” Helm said. “We told them we had one more at bat and the top of the order came through.”
Elida coach Travis Watkins summed up the Bulldogs feelings succinctly.
“That lead-off walk really hurt, they always seem to score.” Watkins commented. “It is a tough loss.”
ELIDA – SHAWNEE
The second game became an elimination game in the double elimination tournament and the Indians appeared that they would advance thanks to an 8-6 win.
However, it was determined that Shawnee (12-7) had used an ineligible pitcher in the game and they were forced to forfeit the game.
As a result, Elida (15-6) will now face Crestview Monday night at 6 p.m. and will have to beat the Knights twice to advance to the state tournament.
According to an ACME Baseball Congress official Shawnee used an ineligible pitcher due to pitch count rules. As a result Shawnee forfeits the game and Elida faces Crestview.
ACME follows the exact same pitch count rules that went into effect last season as determined by the Ohio School Athletic Association.
In the ultimate good news – bad news story, Shawnee is the host team for the state tournament and automatically is entered into the state tournament. They will play next Saturday, July 15, At 7:30 p.m. against the District 6 champion.
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