Retrospect: Patriots lost, despite late offense

Too many free passes haunted the Jay County High School baseball team as it lost to the Delta Eagles 30 years ago this week.

Despite late offense, nine walks and an early deficit doomed the Patriots in a 10-7 defeat.

Chris James allowed three walks in the second inning as Delta scored twice, and Darren James came in for relief, giving up a walk and a two-run single.

The second-inning struggles gave Delta a 6-1 advantage, and Jay County never fully recovered.

Randy Minnich and Marc Bogenschutz had RBI singles in the third inning. 

With the score 9-3 in the fifth, Mitch Shatto lined a two-run home run to left-center field to score Tom Ferguson, who had walked and reached third on an errant pick-off attempt from Delta’s catcher.

Minnich hit a solo home run with two outs in the top of the seventh to continue the JCHS comeback. Bogenschutz doubled before scoring on a Chris Conley triple.

Curt Nelson ended the rally and the game as he popped out to right field.

Bogenschutz finished the game 4-for-4 with a double, three singles and an RBI.

Other than their homers, Shatto and Minnich each added another hit and had two RBIs apiece.

Chris James took the loss as the Patriots, who were defending the program’s second sectional title, dipped to 8-4.