PBR Spotlight Game: No. 4 Tinora (D-IV) at No. 2 Defiance (D-II)

DEFIANCE, OH - Two of the top teams in their respected divisions clashed in Defiance as No. 4 Tinora (D-IV) and No. 2 Defiance (D-II) squared off for what turned out to be a classic. The Rams upended the Bulldogs 9-7 in eight innings.

After Defiance added an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th to go up 4-2, Tinora scored four runs in the top of the seventh to go on top 6-4.

In the seventh, after a flyout, junior EJ Kissel reached on an error by Defiance's shortstop. After a groundout, San Jacinto commit Clay Pittman roped an RBI single. Unsigned senior Derek Drewes (pictured right) laced a single up the middle to put two on and bring sophomore Brevin Renollet up to the plate.

The right-handed hitting third baseman went down 0-2 against Defiance's talented sophomore starter Shay Smiddy. Renollet got the count back to a 2-2 before ripping a two-run single to score PIttman and Drewes to put Tinora on top 5-4.

The Rams added an insurance run later in the inning. After a walk, senior Austin Mahan came to the plate with two on and delivered an RBI single to put Tinora up 6-4.

However, Defiance would not go down lightly.

The Bulldogs unsigned senior Jacob Green led the seventh off with a HBP, moving up to second on a walk by Austin Hancock (Olney JC commit) off of the new pitcher for the Rams Drewes (who came on with a 2-0 count on Hancock).

With two on and nobody out, junior Boo Sierra laid down a perfect bunt for a single to load the bases with Defiance's heart of the order coming up.

Unsigned senior Dom Gentile flew out to center to score Green and pull the Bulldogs within 6-5 and a Tinora error on a rundown play helped send the game into extra innings.

The game is now tied 6-6, headed to the eighth inning.

Tinora scored three runs off Michael Hendricks (who committed to Miami OH after the game), who came in to relieve Smiddy in the seventh.

In the eighth, nine-hole hitter Logan Dickerson was plunked to start the frame. Kissel singled (his third of the game, pictured left pitching) to put runners on the corners, unsigned senior Reid Renollet then grounded into a fielders choice, which scored Reid Anders, who came in to pinch run for Dickerson.

A huge strikeout by Hendricks on Pittman brought to plate Drewes with one on. Defiance head coach Tom Held decided to walk Drewes (the unsigned senior's fifth time on the bases in the game). After that, B. Rennollet walked to load the bases. Another walk to Dakota Stark brought home R. Renollet and a single by Austin Mahan brought home Drewes to put Tinora on top 9-7.

The defending state champs in Division II wouldn't go down without a fight however.

Down 9-6, the Bulldogs junior catcher Gage Cordray drew a lead-off walk, scoring on an RBI single by Green. After an error that put the tying run on base in Hancock, Drewes buckled down and struck out Sierra to give the Rams a 9-7 victory.

Tinora hosts Wayne Trace on Tuesday before No. 18 Fairview (D-III) visits Thursday in a battle of the lone unbeatens in the GMC.

Defiance is at Celina Tuesday and Sylvania Southview on thursday, before a huge clash at No. 11 O-G (D-III) Friday in a WBL showdown that PBR will be attending.

Notable performances in the game:

• Derek Drewes, the unsigned senior reached base all five times. The left-handed hitting shortstop had a single, double, two intentional walks, HBP and three runs scored. Also picked up the win on the mound going two innings and striking out two.
• Shay Smiddy (6-foot-4 sophomore, pictured right), through six innings allowed just two total runs while striking out four.
• EJ Kissel, went 6+ strong innings against one of the best teams in Ohio. At the plate, the lead-off hitter reached base four times, three singles and scored two runs. 
• Brevin Renollet, had a huge two out two-run single, three total RBIs and a run scored.
• Jacob Green, the unsigned senior had a single, walk, HBP, scored a run and had an RBI, while playing amazing defense in center.
• Dom Gentile, the unsigned senior had a double, walk, RBI and a run scored, while playing great defense at third.
• Clay Pittman, the San Jacinto JUCO commit had two singles, RBI, and a run scored.
• Austin Mahan, went 4-for-5 with four singles and three RBIs.
• Boo Sierra, had two singles, including a bunt single.
• Austin Hancock, the Olney JC commit reached base four times. Had a single. walk, run scored and a HBP.
• Derek Turner, the Sinclair commit had an RBI double that one-hopped the fence in left.
• Tyler Weaver, the junior went 2-for-4 with two singles a run scored and an RBI.
• Gage Cordray, Defiance's catcher walked twice, scored two runs and had a sacrifice bunt.

Linescore

Tinora     100  100  43  -  9  13  2

Defiance  012  001  21  -  7   9  1

Records: Tinora 9-2, Defiance 9-2.

Winning pitcher: Derek Drewes (2 innings, 1 run, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts, 1 walk). Other: E.J. Kissel (6 innings, 6 runs, 7 hits, 2 strikeouts, 4 walks, 2 HBP).

Losing pitcher: Michael Hendricks (1.1 innings, 3 runs, 2 hits, 3 strikeouts, 3 walks, 2 HBP). Other: Shay Smiddy (6.2 innings, 6 runs, 11 hits, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 HBP).

Leading hitters: (Tinora) - Derek Drewes single, double, 3 runs; E.J. Kissel 3 singles; Clay Pittman 2 singles; Austin Mahan 4 singles, 3 RBIs. (Defiance) - Garrett Sierra 2 singles; Dom Gentile double; Derek Turner double; Tyler Weaver 2 singles.