COLUMBUS GROVE – Kalida clinched at least a share of their Putnam County League record 21st title on Tuesday night at they defeated host Columbus Grove 11-1 in a five inning conference clash
Colin Hoffman opened the top of the second for the Wildcats with a single off of Bulldogs starter Shep Halker and was quickly pushed around the bases on a fielding error and a balk from Halker to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage. Designated hitter EJ Miller sent the Cats to the bottom of the frame up 2-0 when he came around to score on an error in the outfield on a single by teammate Ryan Klausing.
Columbus Grove cut their deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the second frame on back to back singles by Trey Sautter and Bo Birnesser that saw the former cross the plate on a heads up trip around the basepaths and a throw across the diamond that failed to nab Brock Hoffman who reached on a fielders choice.
Two more runs in the top of the third frame gave the Wildcats a 4-1 lead that saw a pair of Bulldog errors bring home a pair of Wildcats before the inning came to a stop with a strikeout by Jaden Smith.
Lucas Otto singled to open the Grove third but would be left on the bases thanks to a pair of groundouts and a pop out induced by Kalida starter Ryan Lucke who would allow just a pair of hits for the rest of the contest on the way to a complete game.
“Ryan was his normal self which is really good! We know he’s going to give us a chance to win every game and that’s what you want of your ace” said Kalida head coach Chad Ehrnsberger.
Leading 5-1 in the top of the fifth the Wildcats erupted for six runs against Halker and reliever Taylor Schroeder who replaced the Bulldogs starter when he was bounced after four and two thirds innings on the mound.
Singles by Grant Vorst and EJ Miller along with an error that allowed Ryan Klausing to reach and loaded the bases for Kalida before an RBI bases loaded walk was drawn by Jaden Smith. Ryan Lucke’s smash into the outfield scored three to up the advantage to 9-1.
The final two runs of the game came again thanks to a pair of balks, this time by Schroeder and a pair of RBI hits by Luke Erhart and Justin Siebeneck to run the lead to 11-1.
Columbus Grove was sat down 1-2-3 in their half of the fifth by Lucke and saw their evening end on a strikeout of Taylor Schroeder in his first appearance at the plate.
Kalida (15-5, 6-0) remains unbeaten in the PCL and will look to claim the conference outright on Wednesday afternoon at 5:00 P.M. when they travel to Leipsic to battle the Vikings.
Ryan Lucke (6-0) tossed a complete game five innings of work allowing just a single run on five hits and striking out five while his counterpart Shep Halker (3-3) was tagged for ten runs in 4.2 innings on the mound on six hits while striking out five and allowing just one walk while hitting a pair of batters for Columbus Grove (8-10, 2-4). The Bulldogs move into NWC play on Wednesday when they welcome Bluffton to town.
“This was a huge win for us. I’m not sure how many people outside of our team gave us a chance to win the league. The boys worked hard for this but are still hungry, they want the outright PCL title” Ehrnsberger said after the game.