Lincolnview rallies past rival Crestview

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

CONVOY — Lincolnview scored three runs with two outs in the top of the seventh in a 6-4 victory over Northwest Conference rival Crestview on Thursday.

A single up the middle by Ethan Kemler scored Chayten Overholt from third to make it 5-4, then a walk to Collin Overholt loaded the bases. Freshman Creed Jessee stepped to the plate and hit a single that plated Gavin Carter.

Carter was able to induce a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh to preserve the win. The sophomore pitched a complete game and allowed seven hits, struck out seven and walked one.

“Another tremendous high school baseball game with a tournament atmosphere,” Crestview head coach Jim Wharton said. “Being one strike away from the win obviously is disappointing but we will grow from this loss.”

The game started in favor of the Knights. After a scoreless first inning, Crestview struck in the bottom of the second, when Korbin Hartman singled to center and scored Dylan Hicks from second. Hicks opened the inning with a double.

Crestview scored three more runs in the bottom of the third, and enjoyed a 4-0 advantage. Riley Saylor’s single to left field plated Brett Schumm and Caden Hurless, then a double to center allowed Hicks to score his second run of the game.

The score remained 4-0 until the top of the sixth inning. Brayden Evans doubled, Jaden Youtsey singled then Carter’s RBI single scored Evans. A double by left field by Collin Overholt plated Youtsey and Carter, and set the stage for an exciting seventh inning.

“I’m very proud of the boys overcoming some adversity with getting down early in the game,” Crestview head coach Eric Fishpaw said. “Gavin settled in and pitched a nice game, and Thad Walker had a great day at the plate with two base hits.”

“Ethan Kemler had a great quality at bat in the seventh where he gave us the lead with his base hit up the middle,” Fishpaw added.

Along with Walker and Kemler, Chayten Overholt and Collin Overholt each had a pair of hits, and Kemler and Collin Overholt finished with two RBI apiece.

Brant Richardson pitched 5.1 innings and allowed three runs on nine hits, striking out nine and walking two. Hurless pitched the remaining of the game and allowed three runs on four hits, with two strikeouts and three walks.

Lincolnview improved to 13-2 overall, and Crestview dropped to 8-4. Both teams are 4-1 in the NWC and are tied for second, behind Delphos Jefferson (7-6, 5-0 NWC)

The Lancers will travel to New Bremen today, while the Knights will play Wayne Trace in Haviland.