ELIDA – Wayne Trace pushed across six runs on Saturday afternoon off of six Coldwater errors and clinched their first district title since 1986 with a 7-0 victory.
Leadoff hitter Tucker Antoine doubled to begin the game and signaled the start of a huge inning for his squad. Four Coldwater errors allowed runners to join the bases and come around, ending with a two-out RBI single from Evan Crosby to give the Raiders a 4-0 start.
Working against junior starter Breven Anderson the Cavaliers produced three hits through their first trio of at bats but were unable to get a runner past second base.
After the disastrous first inning defensively Coldwater starter Evan Harlamert retired the next 14 hitters for Wayne Trace before allowing a walk to Kyle Slade in the sixth.
Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year Braylen Harlamert opened the sixth with a single for the Cavs but found himself stranded at third with the bases loaded as a sharp line drive headed towards the outfield was caught at second by Cooper Wenzlick to end the frame.
Errors again reared their ugly head for the Cavs in the top of the seventh as a pair of the throwing variety allowed Antoine to get on base and ultimately score. Singles by Breven Anderson and Cale Winans and a walk to Tyler Davis sent three more runs across to put the Raiders on top 7-0.
Pinch hitter Keegan Bruggeman singled off of reliever Kyle Forrer with one out in the last at bat for Coldwater but was erased as the game came to a conclusion on a liner caught at third by Anderson and flipped across the diamond for a game ending double play.
Coldwater sees their first season under Cory Klenke come to an end with a 24-5 mark while the Raiders improve to 22-5 and will play Milan Edison at 2pm on Thursday in Hamler in the regional semifinals.
Last time the Raiders reached the regional round came in 1986 as they defeated Crestview in the semifinals but fell to Ottawa Hills in the title game 9-3.
Wayne Trace 7-4-0
Coldwater 0-6-6
WP: Breven Anderson (6IP, 5H, 0R, 2BB, 1K)
LP: Evan Harlamert (7IP, 7R, 0ER, 3BB, 6K)