SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP – Thunderstorms put a halt to Sunday’s ACME state semifinal baseball game between Shawnee and Archbold in the seventh inning.
However, the real thunderstorm hit earlier in the afternoon.
Archbold, the defending ACME state champions, were leading 9-0 in the top of the seventh, before the storms rolled in and forced a weather delay.
After a long delay, both coaching staffs and officials agreed on discontinuing the game and granting Archbold the victory.
So, Archbold will take on Defiance Monday night at 7 p.m. at Defiance. The site was moved to Defiance due to the amount of rain that fell Sunday night. Defiance defeated Northmont in Sunday’s first semifinal, 4-0.
It didn’t take long for the defending ACME state champions to get it going.
Archbold (27-2) jumped out quickly on Shawnee (12-6), taking a 7-0 lead by the end of the second inning. Archbold pounded 13 hits against Shawnee pitching.
“They stepped up,” Archbold coach Kirk Weldy said. “We have guys one through nine who can step up and get a big hit for us. That’s a huge benefit for us.”
Shawnee recorded six hits on Sunday. The Indians did not record their first hit until the third inning. Kale Ebling and Austin Adams each had two hits for Shawnee.
Rigo Ramos started on the pitching mound for the Blue Streaks. Ramos worked the first two innings, allowing no hits, while striking out two. Ramos threw just 25 pitches before giving way to T.J. Rice in the third. Rice was still pitching in the seventh.
Jared Thomas was the starting pitcher for Shawnee. Thomas worked five innings before giving way to Gavin Wolff. Thomas was tabbed for eight runs on nine hits. Wolff pitched until the seventh, when Johnny Caprella came in from his shortstop position to take over pitching duties.
Defiance 4, Northmont 0
Defiance pitcher Logan Andonian made it look too easy.
Andonian was in complete control in Sunday’s ACME state semifinal matchup with Northmont.
The right-handed Andonian allowed just two base hits, while striking out 12 and walking just one batter, en route to the shutout victory over the Storm.
With the win, Defiance (27-6) will face Archbold in Monday’s state championship game, which is slated for 7 p.m. at Defiance.
Northmont did not record its first hit off Andonian, until the fifth inning, a single by Ryan Tanto.
There was a stretch in Sunday’s game when Andonian retired 12 consecutive batters. He struck out eight of the first 11 batters he faced.
“I felt really good,” Andonian said. “I just tried to throw strikes and see if they could hit it. I saw yesterday they faced someone who was a little slower than me. So, I just wanted to see if I could blow it past them and make them miss.”
Defiance coach Wes Detter was impressed at Andonian’s control.
“He pitched great. He’s been great all year. He’s so composed and relaxed. He just goes out there and throws strikes and does what he can to win,” Detter said.
Defiance pounded nine hits off Northmont pitching. Nick Rodriguez and Brandon Shafer each had two hits for Defiance.
“It was great for us to jump on them right away, and get a couple runs, then let him (Andonian) just do his thing,” Detter said.
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