Saturday, April 26th, 2014

Thobe no-hits Cardinals

By Colin Foster
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

Coldwater's Adam Klosterman, 11, throws to first base to try for the double play after forcing out New Bremen's Travis Bertelsen during Friday's MAC baseball game. The runner at first was safe, but Coldwater went on to win 10-1.

COLDWATER - The Coldwater defense had a relatively uneventful six innings in the field as pitcher Derek Thobe was untouchable on the mound.
When the Cavaliers' defense finally did see some action in the final inning with Thobe's no-hitter on the line, they were ready.
Three clutch plays by the Coldwater infield secured Thobe's first career no-hitter and a 10-1 victory over the New Bremen Cardinals in Midwest Athletic Conference play Friday at Veterans Field.
Thobe became the first Coldwater pitcher to toss a no-hitter since Sam Slavik did it against Patrick Henry in the Division III district semifinal at Elida on May 17, 2007.
The Cavaliers, the top-ranked team in the Division III coaches' poll this week, improve to 11-1 and 3-0 in the conference. New Bremen goes to 2-7 and 0-2 with the loss.
In the bottom of the seventh, second baseman Drew Otten chased down a ball that was headed up the middle and fired it to first baseman Mitch Heyne for the first out. Ty Overman's dribbler down the third baseline almost went for a hit, but third baseman Matt Kramer scooped it up and got him by a step. Then Adam Klosterman came up with perhaps the biggest play of all, diving to stop Greg Parker's hard hit grounder up the middle, jumping to his feet and getting the out at first.
"Three greatest plays all year," said Thobe, who finished the game with 13 strikeouts and one walk.  
"That shows a great team no-hitter," Coldwater coach Brian Harlamert said." Obviously, Derek was dominant the entire game with the strikeouts and throwing the ball by guys, but the defense that last inning saved that no-hitter."
The Cavaliers finished the game with seven hits and scored runs in every inning except the seventh. The Cardinals, though, assisted them on the scoreboard with five errors.
"We've never had a game where the (errors) kind of snowballed, and they did that tonight," New Bremen coach Josh Bowersock. "Like I told the kids, we've just got to flush this game tonight and move onto the next one.
"It's baseball. We've got another game (today). That's the best part about it."
  For Coldwater, Brody Hoying had two hits, including an RBI double in the first, scored three runs and swiped three bases. Matt Kramer finished 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run, Kyle McKibben contributed an RBI single, Klosterman added a hit and a pair of runs and catcher Aaron Harlamert had a triple in the fourth that led to a run.
Nolan Fox scored New Bremen's run in the first inning, when a sure-fire double play for Coldwater turned into a run-costing error.
Senior Travis Bertelsen suffered the loss on the hill for the Cardinals. He pitched four innings, giving up four earned runs.
The Cardinals will face Triad today at 10 a.m.  
The Cavaliers, the top-ranked Division III team in the most recent state poll, will return to the diamond today for a twin bill against Piqua at Hardman Field.
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

Derek Thobe struck out 13 New Bremen batters to earn his first career no-hitter as Coldwater defeated the Cardinals 10-1 at Veterans Field on Friday.

Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

Coldwater's Brody Hoying slides into third base as the ball gets past New Bremen's Ty Overman. Hoying scored on the error and finished with three runs scored and two hits in the Cavaliers' 10-1 win over New Bremen. Coldwater starting pitcher Derek Thobe threw a no-hitter.

Additional online story on this date
A hazardous material cleanup crew was dispatched to the scene of a traffic accident near Mendon Friday night.
The crash, involving a semi-trailer and another vehicle, occurred at 5:12 p.m. along U.S. 33 between Celina-Mendon and Hasis roads. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Primary 2014
CELINA - A five-year, 1.94-mill renewal levy for the Mercer County Developmental Disabilities agency is on the May 6 primary ballot.
The levy, which expires in December, will continue to collect about $1.2 million annually for general operations of Cheryl Ann Programs.
Primary 2014
CELINA - Voters in the May primary will be asked to renew a 1-mill property tax levy that funds the Mercer County Home.
The five-year levy for maintenance and operations, if passed, will generate $731,000 annually. A resident with a home valued at $100,000 will continue to pay $24.20 per year.
COLDWATER - A local man faces drug charges after Coldwater Police executed a search warrant at his home Thursday.
Brandon J. Hand, 18, 323 Northvie
Moeller's single in eighth gives Marion second MAC win
MARIA STEIN - Hannah Moeller's two-out single in the bottom of the eight scored Mindy Puthoff to give Marion Local a 2-1 win over Versailles in Midwest Athletic Conference softball action at the Flyer Athletic Complex in Maria Stein.
MINSTER - There is a downside to scoring 13 runs in the top of the first inning.
Just ask Minster baseball coach Mike Wiss.
After watching his team jump out to a big lead in its first at-bat, Wiss detected a lapse of intensity.
A year after it looked like his professional football dream had ended, Jordan Thompson now has a new opportunity.
The former Parkway and Ohio University standout signed with the Detroit Lions Friday after participating in a veterans mini-camp at the Lions' training complex earlier this week.
Friday's Local Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Minster Wildcats had an undefeated evening as they hosted the Katie Horstman Classic softball invitational held at Four Seasons Park on Friday evening.