Waynesfield-Goshen’s Troy Spencer avoids the tag attempt of New Knoxville’s Preston Rutschilling during Friday’s game at Waynesfield-Goshen. See more high school sports photos at LimaScores.com.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
WAYNESFIELD — It’s the combination of hits, not the number.
Waynesfield-Goshen downed New Knoxville 5-2 in a nonleague baseball contest Friday afternoon. The Tigers put up three runs in their first at-bat. After New Knoxville got a pair in the third, the hosts equaled it with two in the bottom half, and made it stand up from there.
Both pitchers went the distance, with Landon Dewitt of W-G getting the victory. Dewitt allowed 10 hits, walked three and struck out 10.
Garrett Stump drove in three runs, with Jace Kaufman scoring one on a sacrifice fly and Dewitt bringing one in on a groundout.
Coach Josh Spencer of the Tigers said, “We got off to a good start. We were aggressive on the basepaths.” He praised the job by Dewitt, noting that the Tigers have a doubleheader today and games Monday and Tuesday. “All in all, I’ll take the win,” Spencer said.
For New Knoxville, Jay Schroeder allowed five runs on five hits. He issued one walk and had seven strikeouts.
Schroeder and Preston Rutschilling each had one RBI for the Rangers. Coach Gabe Coil said that the team is young, with six freshmen. “We have to make good throws. It’s just about learning and getting better.”
Luke Stachler beat out an infield single in the top of the first, but was doubled off when a soft liner by Schroeder was snared by second baseman Ben Brinkman.
Schroeder struck out the first man he faced, then gave up a single up the middle by Dalton Jordan. Jordan took off for second. The throw was slightly off target and wound up injuring Rangers second baseman Tyler Lammers, who left the game. Jordan advanced to third as a result.
The Rangers shuffled their defense a bit. Dewitt walked and also stole second to put two in scoring position. Stump knocked a ball into shallow center to bring Jordan and Dewitt across.
Kaufman’s fly to left field was caught, but it was deep enough to allow Stump to steam down the line and make it 3-0 for Waynesfield-Goshen.
After a scoreless second, Dewitt retired the first two batters in the third. That brought up the top of the order in Alex Stiles, who singled to center. Stachler’s grounder was misplayed by the shortstop.
Schroder and Rutschilling both drove balls up the middle. Stiles scored on the first, and Stachler managed to slide under the tag at the plate, cutting the lead to 3-2. A strikeout ended the inning.
The Tigers also had the top of their order due up. Jayden Elliott beat out an infield hit to short, then Jordan had a sharp single past the second baseman. That put runners at the corners.
After Jordan swiped second without a throw, Dewitt grounded to short. He was retired, but Elliott was able to score.
Jordan then broke for third and got there just ahead of the ball. Stump got enough of a pitch that went back to the mound and glanced off Schroder’s glove, allowing him to reach and Jordan to come across with run number five.
In the top of the fifth, Alex Stiles was put out on a close play at first with Dewitt covering the bag. Stachler got a walk. Schroder doubled to the gap in right-center. The Rangers sent Stachler around, but a quick relay back to the plate was in time for the second out. Rutschilling then grounded to short to leave Schroeder stranded.
In the Rangers’ sixth, an infield single by Simon Smith and a solid rap by Parker Jones through the left side gave the visitors two on with one out. Dewitt bore down, getting Solly Stiles swinging and Nate Stephens looking on strikes.
After keeping the Tigers in check in the bottom half, the Rangers came up for their final at-bat. Alex Stiles was retired on a comebacker to Dewitt. Stachler beat out an infield single. Schroeder reached on a fielder’s choice, as the Tigers got the force play at second.
Rutschilling poked a grounder down the third-base line. Pinch-hitter Isaiah Huston then was struck out by Dewitt to end the contest.
Mike Frank wrote this story for LimaScores.com.Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
