ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Archbold Acme Team Wins Fourth Straight District Title


Ethan Hagans pitched a complete game in the district championship game against Kalida.– photo by Mary Huber

Ethan Hagans pitched a complete game in the district championship game against Kalida.– photo by Mary Huber

The Archbold Acme baseball team returns to the state tournament for the fourth straight year after defeating Kalida 8-4 in the District 2 championship game, Sunday, July 14, at Patrick Henry High School.

The Streaks won the state title in 2016 and 2017, but were shut out by Bryan 4-0 in the 2018 championship game.

Archbold opened doubleelimination district play with a 19-3 victory over Ottawa- Glandorf, Friday, July 12.

The Streaks advanced to the district finals with a 14-4 win over Kalida in the semifinals, Saturday, July 13.

The Wildcats defeated Wauseon in the consolation finals to play Archbold for the district title.

“We lost a heck of a group this past spring (to graduation), but I think a lot of these kids, especially the senior class, stepped up and took charge,” said Kirk Weldy, head coach.

“They came out and played hard.” After a couple of losses, “We had a couple good conversations and we wanted to kind of step back and get back at it,” said Weldy.

Left: Adam Walker survives a pick-off attempt at first base in the third inning of the district Acme baseball final against

Left: Adam Walker survives a pick-off attempt at first base in the third inning of the district Acme baseball final against

“Our goal was to get down to Coldwater again and see what happens.”

Archbold (15-7) opens state tournament play, Saturday, July 20, 12 noon, against District 7 champion Troy at Veterans Field in Coldwater.

The winner advances to the semifinals on Sunday at 2:30 pm.

Archbold 19, OG 3

DJ Newman got the win on the mound in Archbold’s district opener with Ottawa- Glandorf.

In seven innings he allowed three runs on eight hits and struck out seven.

At the plate: Drake Mohring, three singles; Newman, Brandon Taylor, Noah Garcia, Dawson Liechty, two hits each.

Archbold 14, Kalida 4

The Streaks advanced to the championship finals with a 14-4 win over Kalida in the semifinals.

Taylor was the winning pitcher. In five innings he allowed four runs on five hits and struck out three.

At the plate: Newman went 4-4 with two singles, a double, and a triple. Liechty went 4-4 with three singles and a double.

Kalida. Right: Dawson Liechty hits a double that scored three runs to put Archbold on top 5-3.– photos by Mary Huber

Kalida. Right: Dawson Liechty hits a double that scored three runs to put Archbold on top 5-3.– photos by Mary Huber

Archbold 8, Kalida 4

Championship

After Archbold went threeand out, Kalida put three runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning for a 3-0 lead.

Weldy said the Streaks remained confident even with the early deficit.

“We knew we were gonna hit sometime. The way we hit Friday and Saturday, we knew we were gonna crack it open,” said Weldy.

Archbold closed the gap to 3-1 in the second inning, and then took control in the top of the third.

Adam Walker was walked, Newman hit a double to right field, and Taylor hit a single to bring Walker home.

After Garcia grounded out, Mohring was intentionally walked, loading the bases.

Liechty stepped up to the plate and hit a double to center field, bringing home Newman, Taylor, and Mohring to take a 5-3 lead.

“Dawson Liechty had a heck of a double that really kind of got us sparked and going, and from there we kept the bats rolling,” said Weldy.

“Dawson’s a competitor… so when he’s put in a tough situation, there’s probably no other guy I actually want in that spot.

“We knew he was gonna hit one hard… and it went a little farther than I think the centerfielder thought it would.”

The Streaks led 7-4 going into the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out and one man on first, centerfielder Chase Kohler caught a fly ball and fired the ball to first base to get the runner out and complete the double play.

“Chase is one of our seniors, Weldy said. “We’ve talked to him a little bit about getting jumps on the ball.

“He got a great jump on it and went for it and threw the guy out.

“Sometimes when your bats aren’t working, a defensive play like that’s kind of getting you going. We had a lot of energy after that one.”

Archbold scored its final run in the sixth inning for the 8-4 final.

Ethan Hagans pitched a complete game. In seven innings he allowed four runs on six hits and struck out six.

At the plate: Newman hit a pair of doubles, Liechty went 2-4 with a bases-clearing double and three runs batted in.

State

Weldy said the key to doing well at state is “going down and playing hard. Playing all seven innings. At this point, it’s gonna be a battle every game.

“I think energy at this point in the game… you get in the dog days, the hot days of July… Some of these guys start thinking about football and soccer.

“The teams that stick with it and play hard and get after it are the ones that are normally playing on Monday night” in the championship game at 7 pm.