Walk ignites Adena win over Fairland

Published 12:00 am Sunday, May 29, 2005

CHILLICOTHE - What appeared to be a called third strike went as ball four, and what appeared to be another Michael Hill masterpiece went awry.

The swift change of events in the sixth inning opened the door for the Adena Warriors to score seven times as they rallied to beat Hill and the Fairland Dragons 8-2 Friday in the Division III regional semifinals.

"Michael thought he threw strike three and the call was ball four," Fairland coach Roger Snyder said. "Michael got frustrated, he lost his concentration and walked a couple more batters and that was pretty much the ball game."

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Fairland was leading 2-1 after Hill had hit a lead off home run in the top of the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the inning, Dylan Givens doubled and took third base when the ball was bobbled in the outfield.

Joe Jaskowiak was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners at first and third base. Hill went 3-2 on John Knauff and threw a pitch that looked like strike three. But Knauff drew the walk to load the bases.

The next two batters walked to force in the tying and go-ahead runs and Snyder replaced Hill with Cory McKnight.

Clint Roush singled home two runs, Colton Coy blooped a hit to left field for a run and Givens hit a two-run single to cap the rally.

"If you weren't at the game, you'd find it hard to believe but we could have won the game," Snyder said.

Adena took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Adam Zurmehly tripled and P.J. Pierce hit a sacrifice fly.

Fairland tied the game in the fifth inning.

Chris Barnett singled but was forced out at second base on Trenton Moore's ground ball. Nolan Love reached on an error as Moore went to third base.

Nick Zundel hit a roller down the third base line and Adena pitcher David Loel tried to get Moore at home. But Loel's throw hit Moore in the back of the head for an error allowing him to score.

After Hill's home run put Fairland ahead, the Dragons loaded the bases only to have a double play ball end the threat.

"We hit some shots, we just couldn't find the hole. We had chances to score runs, we just left people on base," Snyder said.

Hill strike out six, walked five and hit a batter taking the loss. Loel struck out just one and walked one to get his 10th win.

Fairland ends the season 21-4.

"It as a great year. You hate to see it end that way. We felt we were as good as they were, so it makes it tough to take," Snyder said.

"It's been enjoyable working with these kids, especially Michael and Cory who have been four-year starters. They've won 67 games. There are not many four-year seniors who can say that."

Adena's record went to 23-6.

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Michael Hill, Cory McKnight (6) and Adam Fuller. David Loel and Joe Jaskowiak. W-Loel (1-K, 1-BB). L-Hill (6-K, 5-BB, 1-HBP). 3B-Adena: Dylan Givens. 3B-Adena: Adam Zurmehly. HR-Fairland Michael Hill. Hitting-Fairland: Michael Hill 1-3, Cory McKnight 2-3, Adam Fuller 1-3, Chris Barnett 1-3, Nolan Love 1-3; Adena: Coy 1-4, Dylan Givens 2-4, Joe Jaskowiak 1-2, L.C. Guthrie 1-2, Adam Zurmehly 1-1, Colin Uhrig 1-3.