Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

FRANKLIN FURNACE — A week off didn’t seem to bother the Green Bobcats.
Green got 13 hits to back the five-hit pitching of Tanner Kimbler as they beat the St. Joseph Flyers 11-1 in five innings on Wednesday in the Division IV sectional finals.
Kimbler threw just 59 pitches as he struck out seven and did not walk a batter. He also went 4-4 at the plate with three runs batted in.
“It was nice to get back out on the field again. Sometimes a layoff can affect you. But Tanner Kimbler pitched a nice game and we got production all through the lineup,” said Green coach Dan McDavid.
Green (18-4) will now play South Webster at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at Paint Stadium in Chillicothe in the district semifinals.
St. Joseph took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning.
Gage Butler and Isaac Whaley both singled with two outs and Zac McGraw had an RBI single.
But Green came back with five runs in the bottom of the inning.
Tayte Carver singled, Trevor Carver doubled and Bryce Ponn was walked. Hayden Whittis reached on a fielder’s choice as Tayte Carver beat the throw home to tie the game.
An out later, Rylee Maynard singled in a run. Chase Clark hit into a fielder’s choice, Tanner Kimbler delivered a two-run single for a 4-1 lead. Tyler Darnell followed with an RBI single.
“(Clay) Willis did a nice job keeping us off-balance the first couple of innings, but then we adjusted and we were able to get the bats going,” said McDavid.
The Bobcats ended the game early with a six-run fifth inning.
Drew Ramey singled and pinch-runner Derrek Brown stole second moved up on a hit by Clark. Kimbler had an infield hit as Brown scored and a throwing error allowed Clark to score.
Darnell and Tayte Carver walked to load the bases and Trevor Carver had a two-run double. Ponn then singled to score two runs and end the game.
Trevor Carver was 2-3 with two doubles and Ponn 2-3.
McGraw, Whaley, Butler, Chase Walters and Chase Wilds all had hits for St. Joseph.
St. Joseph    001    00    =    1    5    2
Green          005    06    =    11    13    0
Clay Willis, Chase Walters (4), Isaac Whaley (5) and Zac McGraw. Tanner Kimbler and Trevor Carver. W-Kimbler (K-7, BB-0). L-Willis. Hitting-St. Joe: Gage Butler 1-3, Isaac Whaley 1-2, Zac McGraw 1-2 RBI, Chase Walters 1-2, Chase Wilds 1-2; Green: Tanner Kimbler 4-4 3-RBI, Tyler Darnell 1-2, Tayte Carver 1-3, Trevor Carver 2-3 2-2B, Bryce Ponn 2-3, Drew Ramey 1-2, Rylee Maynard 1-3, Chase Clark 1-3.