Fort Recovery loses home finale (05/17/03)

FORT RECOVERY — For their final show of the year, the Fort Recovery baseball team gave the Minster Wildcats all they could handle. Still, they snuck away with a 3-2, eight-inning win over the Indians thanks to a pair of home runs.

“We played a good game, they played a good game,” said Fort Recovery coach Dave Blockberger. “We just came out on the short end.”

That’s been the case in many of the Indians games this year as they have fallen one hit short time and time again in finishing at 11-15.

It was no different Friday, as the Indians left eight runners on base overall, including two in the first and sixth innings. Minster didn’t have much better luck, but got a long ball every four innings to top the Tribe.

The first big shot for Minster (14-6, 5-2 Midwest Athletic Conference) came in the fourth inning as it trailed 2-0. Dustin Sommer led off with a single, and Marc Stueve followed with one of his own.

It looked as if Indian starter Eric Rindler might escape unharmed after Alex Bernhold hit into a double play, but Josh Boeke would not allow it. He torched a 2-2 pitch over the fence in left field to even the score.

Rindler didn’t allow much more, retiring eight batters in a row between the fifth and eighth innings. But, Tim Cordonnier broke that streak in resounding fashion.

The Wildcat shortstop hit a shot to the gap in right-center field which just kept carrying, clearing the wall for a 3-2 Minster lead with one out in the top of the eighth inning. Greg Faller reached base for the Tribe on an error with one out in the bottom of the frame, but Nathan Sudhoff and Mitch Staugler each flied out to end it.

The home runs by Cordonnier and Boeke were their only hits of the game. Jon Kaylor had a pair of hits for the Wildcats.

“Eric Rindler threw a hell of a baseball game,” said Minster coach Mike Wiss. “He kept us off balance.

“Fort Recovery is a good team. This was a battle of will.”

Wiss’ squad is still in the state tournament, and will meet MAC-rival Marion Local Monday.

Scott Sherman earned the win for Minster, allowing just one hit in three innings of relief. Tom Kuhn tossed five innings, allowing two runs on five hits.

The Indians took a quick lead after getting out of a bases-loaded one-out jam in the top of the first. Greg Snyder led off with a walk, and C.J. Tobe followed with a single.

Greg Heitkamp brought Snyder in with another single, but the success ended there. Kuhn sat down Mark Knapke, Faller and Sudhoff in consecutive at bats to end the inning.

The Tribe scored again for the 2-0 nothing advantage after Greg Heitkamp smashed a one-out double in the third inning. Knapke dealt a single, and Faller brought Heitkamp in with a single to left field.

However, the Wildcats tied the game with the homer in the top of the fourth, and won it four frames later.

Heitkamp went 2-for-4 with a double to lead the Indians. He scored once and had an RBI.

Rindler took the loss, allowing three runs on nine hits as he went the distance. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

“Eric battled all night,” said Blockberger, despite the defeat. “The key was to make them hit the ball and not grant free passes.”

He also had plenty of good things to say about his six seniors.

“Obviously these kids never quit,” he said. “Tonight they were just playing for the love of the game and pride. They’re great kids, and they were fun to coach all year. We’ll definitely miss them.”

Fort Recovery’s junior varsity team also lost to Minster Friday, 7-6.[[In-content Ad]]