Thursday, May 20th, 2021

Bats come alive

Bulldogs run-rule Fostoria

By Gary R. Rasberry
Photo by Dan Melograna/The Daily Standard

Celina's Quinn Andrew (21) scores in the first inning on Wednesday's Division II sectional baseball game against Fostoria at Montgomery Field.

CELINA - For a Celina team that has struggled to bring runs across this season, Wednesday was just what the doctor ordered.
The Bulldogs scored in every inning, including 10 in a wild fourth inning en route to opening the Division II baseball sectional with a 21-1 win over Fostoria at Montgomery Field.
Celina (7-17) travels to Shawnee Township on Friday to face the top-seeded Indians. Shawnee won 7-4 in the teams' regular season meeting on April 13 at Montgomery Field.
"They did a good job adjusting to the pitching," said Celina coach Andy Waesch, referring to Fostoria's pitchers throwing slower than what Celina usually sees. "We started hitting the ball hard. That was good."
The Redmen (2-18), which had been outscored 104-10 in their previous five games and have only allowed fewer than 10 runs in three games this season, came ready to play as they drew first blood in the top of the first. Matthew Balderama led off with a walk, stole second, went to third on a ground out and then scored on Jared Durst's single.
But that was all when it came to offense as Quinn Andrew retired the next two batters to end the inning and went 1-2-3 in the second inning. Dylan Feister retired all six batters he faced over the next two innings and Quade Gilmore hit the first batter he faced in the fifth but struck out the next three to end the game.
"Sometimes you have to give up that run early to remind yourself, 'Oh, yeah, we have to play this game,' " said Waesch. "You have to come ready to go."
Celina, which had been outscored 45-7 in its last three games, quickly bounced back and got its offense with four runs in the bottom of the first. The Fostoria errors led to three unearned runs coming across.
After getting a run in the second, Celina plated six in the third to set up a run-rule. Zach Hirsch had a two-run triple and Dylan Feister added a two-run single as Celina sent 11 batters to the plate.
The coup de grĂ¢ce came in the fourth as Celina sent 14 to the plate, with several pinch-hitters getting two chances to hit in the inning. Hirsch added another two-run single and pinch-hitters Carter Altstaetter and Jackson Hassan each had RBI singles in the 10-run inning.
"That's hard to do: to come off the bench and hit the ball hard," said Waesch, whose squad only struck out one time on the game. "I always have respect for guys coming in."
Hirsch was a home run away from hitting for the cycle and drove in three runs. Feister had four RBI. Brandon Staugler had three hits and Andrew finished with two hits.
Now the Bulldogs take on the Indians. All three pitchers will be able to go after keeping their pitch counts down and only needing one mandatory day of rest.
"That was part of (the plan)," said Waesch. "Get what you need done (today) and get ready to go on Friday and give them your best shot."
Photo by Dan Melograna/The Daily Standard

Celina's Brecken Adams (5) connects for a base hit against Fostoria. The Bulldogs had 15 hits in the win over the Redmen.

Photo by Dan Melograna/The Daily Standard

Celina's Dylan Feister (10) delivers a strike during Wednesday's Division II sectional baseball game against Fostoria at Montgomery Field.

Additional online story on this date
Managers thankful for state COVID aid
Mercer and Auglaize counties fairs are both in line to receive a much needed $50,000 to help out with substantial revenue losses caused by COVID-19 related disruptions. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
State $1M vaccine lotto is popular
CELINA - More than 1 million people have entered Ohio's COVID-19 vaccine lottery that will award five $1 million prizes and five full-ride college scholarships since registration opened Tuesday, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
MONTEZUMA - Council members meeting Wednesday recommended Mercer County commissioners award a $379,000 contract for a drainage project to Shinn Brothers, Celina, whose bid came in well below the engineer's $460,000 estimate for the work.
Elections officials in Mercer and Auglaize counties this week certified the results of the May 4 special election via a process called the official canvas.
Staff reports
With recent announcements about changes to health orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio and guidance from the CDC, it is
Staff reports
The city of Celina is flushing hydrants at several locations between 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. through Friday, according to a news release from the city.
Area Roundup
Compiled By Tom Haines
and Gary R. Rasberry
Minster took a 5-0 lead after three innings on the way to an 8-2 win over Riverdale in the Division III baseball sectional opener in Mount Blanchard on Wednesday.