Wednesday, June 19th, 2013

St. Henry shuts out rival Coldwater, 5-0

Redskins 7-0 against Mercer County teams

By Gary R. Rasberry
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

St. Henry's Ryan Mikesell pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings to help lead the Redskins to a 6-0 win over Coldwater in ACME action on Tuesday at the Wally Post Athletic Complex. St. Henry improved to 11-1.

ST. HENRY - A four-run third inning propelled St. Henry to a 5-0 win over Coldwater on Tuesday in ACME baseball action at the Wally Post Athletic Complex.
The Redskins have defeated the rival Cavaliers twice and now stand at 11-1 overall and 7-0 against Mercer County competition. St. Henry is in prime position to grab the top seed in the county tournament that begins at the end of the month in Coldwater. The Cavaliers are now 10-3 overall and 4-2 in county play.
After two scoreless innings, the Redskins got on track offensively in the third inning. Briar Holloman, who was 3-for-4 in the game, singled off Coldwater's Greg Gilliland, Andrew Lundvall drew a walk and Jason Jacobs' infield single loaded the bases. Mitchel Stammen then belted a two-run double over the rightfielder to give St. Henry a 2-0 advantage.
Ryan Mikesell then followed with a two-run double to deep centerfield to give the Redskins a 4-0 lead.
"This is a good team all-around. Solid defense, hit when you want them to and hit regularly," said St. Henry coach Andy Mikesell. "I don't want to say you've come to expect it, but I somewhat have."
"He only had 10 first-pitch strikes," said Coldwater coach Tom Brunswick of Gilliland, who had five walks in the game. "We preach to throw strikes on the first pitch. He struggled (but) he hung (around) and kept us in the game. For us to be successful, he'll need to have better command. We trust next time he will."
The final St. Henry run came from Holloman, who dashed home on a passed ball in the fourth inning.
The Cavaliers only struck out three times with Mikesell on the mound, but St. Henry played errorless defense.
"Ryan is a young pitcher, I think the second youngest on the staff," said coach Mikesell. "He really hasn't been tested. Everyone else has pitched against a solid competitive team. He said he wanted to go against a good team and I said 'Okay, how about Coldwater?' He came out and threw very well. Lived up to the challenge."
Coldwater had a strong chance to break up the shutout in the sixth with the bases loaded, but Mikesell caught Mitch Schoenherr looking at strike three to end the threat.
The Cavs had another scoring opportunity in the seventh. Adam Klosterman led off with a walk - the seventh issued by Mikesell in the game - before Brody Hoying forced him at second on a ground out. Drew Otten doubled for the second time in the game to give the Cavs runners on second and third with one out. Coach Mikesell then called Jacobs to the mound to get out of the jam - albeit in a non-save situation.
Jacobs then sent Malave Bettinger to first base via an intentional walk to load the bases. Mitch Heyne grounded to third, where D.J. Kunkler threw home to force Hoying for the second out. Grant Muhlenkamp then lofted a fly to right, where Heitkamp snagged it to end the game.
"Hitting's contagious, and we've been struggling at the plate the last couple of games," said Brunswick. "The thing is we have to stay aggressive and put some good at-bats together. They had some hits that found the hole and we had some that didn't."
St. Henry is back in action again on Thursday, hosting Marion Local in a doubleheader starting at 6 p.m. The Redskins also have to make up a postponed game with Fort Recovery to wrap up county play. Coldwater hosts Greenville in non-conference action tonight before taking on Celina on Thursday at Veterans Field.
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

Coldwater's Grant Muhlenkamp slides safely into second base as St. Henry's Brian Kremer waits for the ball during Tuesday's ACME game.

Additional online story on this date
ST. HENRY - Hanna Tumbusch began providing books to underprivileged children five years ago as part of a 4-H project.
Today the St. Henry High School senior heads Pages for Progress Inc., a non-profit organization that has donated more than 7,000 books throughout the state. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Bryant L. Rhoades could face the death penalty if he is found guilty for the 2011 murders of Fort Recovery-area residents Robert and Colleen Grube.
CELINA - The lack of a doctor or nurse practitioner on staff at the local health department means smaller reimbursements from private insurance companies for vaccines.
MINSTER - Village council members Tuesday night approved the purchase of a replacement transformer necessary for the expansion of The Dannon Company
Auglaize officials view bridge work
Bridge and ditch projects are running smoothly, on time and within budget in Auglaize County.
County commissioners and county engineer Doug Reinhart on Tuesday toured a culvert and bridge beam replacement and a few ditch projects.
CELINA - Four more blighted buildings in Mercer County will be razed using state funds.
Nine homes and other structures in several communities acro
MONTEZUMA - Mercer County Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to give the local airport $9,100 toward an upcoming runway and ramp project.
The funds r
MONTEZUMA - Officials are slightly downsizing the construction of littoral wetlands on the south side of Grand Lake after spending over $250,000 more than anticipated on rock fill.
Two teens were arrested early today on drug charges related to heroin.
The Coldwater Police Department received a tip Tuesday on possible drug activity in the area of Hardin Street in Coldwater.
Local Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
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