Errors torment Tribe (05/05/03)

MINSTER, Ohio — When the term “snake-bitten” was first used in sports, it wasn’t in reference to Eric Rindler. But, it doesn’t fit anyone better than the Fort Recovery pitcher.

He carried a no-hitter through five innings against Minster Sunday, but still took a 6-5 loss thanks to four unearned runs as the Indians fell to New Knoxville in first-round sectional action.

After giving up 17 unearned runs in his junior season, half of the 40 runs he has allowed this year have been unearned. The loss dropped his record to 3-4, despite a 3.59 ERA.

“Eric’s been unlucky,” said Fort Recovery coach Dave Blockberger of his No. 1 starter, who also had a perfect game through three innings. “We made all the routine plays for six innings. Then we gave a team that had no life all the life in the world and they took advantage.”

Rindler pitched beautifully through five innings, carrying a 3-0 lead with only a one-out walk in the fourth and a harmless error in the fifth marring his effort. The error from the Indians in the sixth inning would not be so benign.

Catcher Dan Wierwille broke up the no-hitter with a single which dropped two steps in front of Greg Snyder in center field. Then came the difficulties, as second baseman Dusty Guggenbiller dropped the throw to second base from Rindler on a ground ball by James Davis.

The error erased the out at second, and possibly cost the Indians a double play. Rindler struck out Andy Naseman for the first out, then got Chris Vordermark to pop out to Mitch Staugler in right field for what should have been the final out of the frame.

It wasn’t, and the Rangers’ No. 3 and 4 hitters made sure the Tribe paid the price.

John Henschen knocked an RBI single to center field to score Wierwille to end the shutout. Borgerding followed with his first career home run — a three-run shot over the left field wall — to give New Knoxville a 4-3 lead.

The Rangers (9-8) added two more runs in the seventh after a leadoff walk by Trent Fledderjohann. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kale Wierwille, and Dan Wierwille drove him in with a single to left field.

Dan Wierwille would come around for his second run of the game on a two-out RBI double to left-center by Vordermark.

Fort Recovery loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh inning, but Nathan Sudhoff grounded into a double play. The Tribe managed to push across two runs before Guggenbiller grounded out to pitcher C.J. Goins to end the game.

“I’m a big believer that if you have confidence in yourself you can achieve a lot,” said New Knoxville coach Brad Mendenhall. “That’s what I always preach, to keep plugging away at it. Put the ball in play and good things happen.”

The Indians (10-10) had 14 hits, compared to just six for New Knoxville, but couldn’t put together a big inning. They left nine runners on base, six of which were stranded in scoring position.

“We had a couple of two-out hits, just not enough,” said Blockberger. “Some of the credit goes to them, they had two double plays.”

The first of the two Ranger double plays came in the fourth inning with the bases loaded and one out for Fort Recovery.

C.J. Tobe hit a bouncer back to Goins, who tossed home to force out Guggenbiller. Catcher Dan Wierwille flipped the ball to first to end the inning and get out of a big jam when his team already trailed 3-0.

Goins took the win, allowing five runs — four earned — on 14 hits. He struck out three and walked two.

Borgerding had the big hit for the Rangers, going 1-for-3 with a run and three RBIs because of the three-run homer. Dan Wierwille was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI.

Greg Heitkamp and Mark Knapke each had three hits for the Indians, and Greg Snyder and Nick Wehrkamp had two hits apiece. Heitkamp scored twice and drove in a run, and Wehrkamp had one RBI and one run.

Rindler was the hard-luck loser, allowing six runs — two earned — on six hits. He struck out four and walked two.

New Knoxville advances to face No. 1-seeded host Minster Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Hanover Street Park. Parkway, which defeated New Bremen 4-2 in a rain-soaked opening sectional game Saturday, will meet No. 2 seed Marion Local at noon.

The Indians head back to regular season action at home Tuesday against Parkway at 5 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]