Cougars make short work of Celina

Van Wert independent sports

Hayden Maples, Lawson Blackmore and James Acquaviva each finished with two RBI, and the Van Wert Cougars blanked Celina 12-0 in five innings at Russell Fisher Field on Thursday.

Maples also went the distance on the mound, allowing five hits while striking out four and walking five.

The Cougars (3-1, 1-1 Western Buckeye League) scored all twelve runs in the first three innings – four in each frame.

An error allowed Blackmore to reach first and plate TJ Reynolds and Maples, then Acquaviva closed the first inning with a double that scored Blackmore and Owen Treece.

Jake Lautzenheiser and Reynolds singled to open the second inning, then scored on a single by Maples to increase the lead to 6-0. Maples scored on a single by Nathan Temple, then Blackmore sent Temple home with a single of his own.

Jonathan Lee and Lautzenheiser each walked to start the third frame, then Reynolds singled in Lee. Lautzenheiser scored on a fielder’s choice, then Reynolds was sent home on an RBI single by Blackmore. A two-out error by the Bulldogs allowed Maples and Temple to score the final runs of the game.

Van Wert finished with 11 hits, 10 of them singles.

The Cougars will travel to St. Marys today.