HAMLER – Lincolnview clinched their spot in the regional finals on Thursday night in Hamler for the second straight season as they raced past Northwest Conference mate Leipsic 8-1.
Similar to what they’ve done to opponents all season the Lancers jumped the Vikings for an early run in the bottom of the first with two gone on an RBI single from designated hitter Caden Hanf to bring home teammate Dane Ebel who singled earlier in the frame off of Leipsic starter Luke Spoors.
Though he allowed an early hit and a pair of baserunners to reach on errors, Lincolnview hurler Dane Ebel was dialed in early in the contest as he struck out five of the first nine hitters he faced while surrendering just two hits heading into the top half of the fourth.
Working through the bottom of their own order in the second inning the NWC champion Lancers pushed across two more runs to jump ahead 3-0 on a first pitch single by Austin Bockrath and again two out magic in the form of a walk to Landon Price and a two out double to the outfield by Cole Binkley.
Leipsic’s first and only run of the ballgame came in the fourth on a single from Tyler Lammers and an RBI single just moments later by Mason Brandt to trim the deficit to 3-1. Lincolnview threatened in the same inning but relinquished the bats with the bases loaded against Luke Spoors thanks to a strikeout.
A pair of singles from Caden Hanf and Austin Bockrath along with a sacrifice bunt from Evan Miller and an RBI ground out off the bat of Jack Dunlap pushed the advantage to 5-1 for the Lancers through the fifth and chased starter Luke Spoors from the game in favor of reliever Mason Brandt.
Ebel, the team’s right handed ace continued to add to his strikeout total through the middle innings as he sat down a pair of Viking hitters while allowing just a single hit in the sixth to keep the blue and gold on top.
The final three markers of the evening came in the bottom of the sixth as Lincolnview quickly placed a pair of runners on the base paths before a double from Caden Hanf ran the lead to 7-1 and chased Brandt for a new arm in Tommy Offenbacher.
Austin Bockrath finished off the scoring for Lincolnview with a sacrifice fly before the inning met a conclusion with the Lancers on top 8-1.
Leipsic’s first two batters were retired by a quick strikeout and a pop out but a dropped third strike allowed Blake Liffick to provide new life thanks to an errant throw to first before the Vikings were retired two batters later after a Brandt single.
The Vikings see their season end at 17-8 and with a loss to the Lancers in the regionals for the second straight season. Lincolnview (22-6) will head back to Hamler on Friday evening for a 5:30pm tilt with the squad they defeated in the regional semifinals last year, Antwerp as the Archers defeated Plymouth 11-1 in the days opener.
“Caden Hanf had a big day for us at the plate as did Jack Dunlap. Dane Ebel commanded the strike zone, threw strikes, and trusted his defense to make plays” said Lancer coach Eric Fishpaw after the win.
Friday’s matchup will pit Lincolnview left handed ace and Ohio State signee Landon Price (8-0, 115 strikeouts) against Antwerp standout and future BGSU Falcon hurler Luke Krouse with the winner headed to Akron to battle either Tiffin Calvert or Jeromesville Hillsdale at Canal Park in the state semifinals.
“Luke Krouse is a very good pitcher. We are glad to have Landon going tomorrow for the Lancers” said Fishpaw on Friday’s regional finals pitching matchup.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Leipsic 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 6 0
Lincolnview 1 2 0 0 2 3 X 8 13 4
Pitching IP #P H R ER SO BB
(WP) Dane Ebel 7.0 107 6 1 0 10 0
(LP) Luke Spoors 4.1 75 9 5 4 3 3