VW advances to Acme state tournament

VW independent sports

ELIDA – It didn’t come easy but Van Wert battled back to earn a spot in this year’s Acme state baseball tournament.

The Cougars were shutout 2-0 by Delphos St. John’s in the District 5 title game, setting up an immediate rematch for the right to advance on to the state tournament. The rematch turned out to be a thriller, with Van Wert winning 1-0 in eight innings.

The Blue Jays had just one hit in the game, an RBI double by Cameron Elwer in the third. A Cougar error allowed another run in the same inning, accounting for all of the scoring. Luke Wessell took the hard luck loss, but still finished with 12 strikeouts and just one walk.

Wessell, Kaden Shaffer and AJ Proffitt had Van Wert’s three hits. Elwer struck out five Cougar batters during a complete game effort.

In the rematch, the Cougars made the most of their two hits. Brylen Parker had a two-out triple in the eight, then came home for the game winner on an RBI single by TJ Stoller, giving Van Wert a 1-0 win and a spot in the state tournament.

Ulm was charged with the loss, while Van Wert’s Case Stegeman earned the complete game win by allowing just one hit while striking out three and walking two.

Van Wert’s next game will be at 11 a.m. Saturday vs. the District 6 winner, Bellefontaine or Indian Lake. All state tournament games will be played at St. Henry.