Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

WHITEHOUSE - Two teams entered Saturday with one loss, one ranked in the top five in Division II (Wauseon) and one under the radar (Anthony Wayne) after losing 13 seniors (who went 23-3, ranked No. 6 last season) due to graduation a season ago. After sweeping No. 5 Wauseon 6-2 and 7-2 the perennial  Division I power Generals are back in the spotlight.

The Generals may not have a flamethrower or a huge masher in the lineup, in watching Saturday's performance AW is definitely a fundamentally sound baseball team. The Generals had 10 stolen bases on the day, executed two squeeze plays while committing just one error for head coach Mark Nell.

"We have a scrappy bunch of athletes who love to play the game," stated Nell. "It's been pretty nice being under the radar so far this season."

The Generals were facing a Wauseon team riding an 11-game win streak (only loss was in the opening game against D-II No. 1 ranked Defiance). But the Generals stymied the Indians' bats allowing just four total runs on eight hits, which against a talented Wauseon lineup is shutting them down.

In game one, junior RHP Alex Murphy (pictured right) threw a three-hitter, allowing two runs and two walks while striking out four.

In game two, sophomore, RHP Aaron Stark (pictured left) threw a five-hitter allowing two runs and four walks while striking out four.

The Generals used four-run innings in each game to take command of the contests. In the opener, AW capitalized on free passes to score four runs in the second inning. With one out the 7-8-9-1 hitters, seniors Tyler Deye, Tommy Eichenlaub, Thomas Keyser and junior Josh Schwerer, each reached base via the walk, with Murphy provided the thump, scoring two with a two-out single.

In the second game, after Top Prospect Games participant Ty Suntken (pictured) blasted a home run in the first, the Generals answered with four. Schwerer reached via the walk and stole second and third. Junior Austin Kottenbrock followed with a walk putting runners on the corners. Murphy then laid down a perfect bunt that Wauseon junior started Clay Tefft could not make a play on. After a strikeout, junior catcher D.J. Komisarek ripped a two-run single. Senior Cal Johnson followed with an RBI single and Eichenlaub followed with a sac fly to put the Generals on top 4-1 after the first inning.

Wauseon could not get anything to fall against the Generals and, unable to get anything going at the plate, the Indians would have to rely on pitching to keep them in the game. However, in game one TPG participant Axel Bueter could not find the plate, giving up five runs on just one hit in his three innings of work. Sophomore Nate Suntken threw the final three innings of the game allowing just one run on three hits.

On the day, Wauseon pitching gave 13 free passes which is cause for concern against any team let along a squad as good as Anthony Wayne.

The Generals (10-1), whose lone loss is to a team from Tennessee, has a titanic matchup against Northern Lakes League rival Perrysburg (No. 10, Division I) on Monday.

Wauseon (11-3) looks to bounce back Monday against Northwest Ohio Athletic League foe Evergreen.

To view scouting notes from this game, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week.

To discuss this game, please visit our partner JJHuddle.

Linescores

Wauseon 000 020 0 - 2 3 1

A. Wayne 041 001 x - 6 4 0

Winning pitcher: Alex Murphy (7 innings, 2 runs, 3 hits, 4 strikeouts, 2 walks).

Losing pitcher: Axel Bueter (3 innings, 5 runs, 1 hits, 2 strikeouts, 7 walks). Other: Nate Suntken.

Leading hitters: (Wauseon, 3 hits) - Nate Suntken double. (Anthony Wayne, 4 hits) - Josh Schwerer 2 singles; Alex Murphy double.

Wauseon 100 001 0 - 2 5 1

A. Wayne 400 021 x - 7 5 1

Winning pitcher: Aaron Stark (7 innings, 2 runs, 5 hits, 4 strikeouts, 4 walks).

Losing pitcher: Clay Tefft (5 innings 6 runs, 3 hits, 3 strikeouts, 5 walks). Other: Jacob Newlove.

Leading hitters: (Wauseon, 5 hits) - Ty Suntken home run. (Anthony Wayne, 5 hits) - Austin Kottenbrock 2 singles.