Break out the bats

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By Rob Kiser

[email protected]

SIDNEY — The Sidney Post 217 American Legion baseball team came out swinging the bats early — and an eight-run first inning paved the way to an 11-3 victory over Piqua Post 184 Monday at Custenborder Field.

The win gave Sidney a perfect 6-0 record in Western Ohio League play, while Piqua finished 4-2.

It also gave Sidney the top seed in the district tournament, being played at Duke Park.

It began Tuesday, with Sidney and Greenville playing at 5:30, with Piqua and Troy to follow 30 minutes after that game.

“That’s what we talk about,” Sidney coach Jim Koewler said. “Coming out and being aggressive.”

After Piqua had scored a run in the top of the first when Dylan Arnold walked and scored on Travis Smith’s single, Sidney quickly turned the tide.

Austin McLain started things with a double and Keaton McEldowney reached on an error.

Kyle Subler had a RBI double and Josh Nixon followed with a two-run double to make it 3-0.

Maddux Liles singled and Dan Berning had a RBI single as the first six Sidney batters reached base.

Austin Knapke was hit by a pitch with one out to load the bases and Dylan Albers had a RBI single to make it 5-0.

Knapke would score on a wild pitch, McLain had a RBI single and McEldowney again reached on an error to make it 8-0.

“You know, I told David (assistant coach David Moss) in the dugout, if it was high, they hit it — if it was low they hit it. They hit everything,” Piqua coach Justin Jennings said.

But, after throwing 38 pitches in the inning, Piqua ace Seth Clayton settled down.

After giving up seven hits in the opening inning, he pitched into the eighth inning and allowed just six hits more hits and two more runs.

“He threw 38 pitches that first inning,” Jennings said. “But, he was only at 92 pitches when we took him out in the eighth.”

In the third, Will Eversole singled for Piqua and scored on Michael Ashcraft’s double to make it 8-2.

In the fourth, Joe McGillivary walked for Piqua and scored on Eversole’s second of three hits on the night.

But, 8-3 was as close as Piqua could get.

Sidney made it 9-3 in the fifth when Knapke singled and scored on McEldowney’s double.

In the eighth, Subler had a double to start things.

Liles had a RBI single and Deion Puthoff had a fielder’s choice to make it 11-3.

Jack Dapore relieved Sidney starter Tyler Louden after five innings and Maddux Liles pitched a perfect ninth inning. They walked five, struck out 11 and allowed 10 hits, while stranding 12 Piqua baserunners.

“That was another story,” Koewler said. “When we took Tyler (Louden) out it was in the fifth inning and he was already at 100 pitches.”

But, Piqua could never get the big hit.

“We had 10 hits,” Jennings said. “So that tells you we hit the ball. We could just never get that big hit.”

Clayton and Logan Harris combined on a 14-hitter, with four strikeouts and two hit batters.

“You know, it was 3-2 after the first inning,” Jennings said. “It was a ball game.”

Koewler was encouraged by what he saw.

“I think we are on the right patch,” he said. “Now, that we have our pitching set and we are swinging the bats again.”

Sidney took a 23-14 record into the district tournament, while Piqua was 21-9.

Rob Kiser can be reached at (937) 451-3334.

Mike Ullery | AIM Media Josh Nixon takes a cut for Sidney Monday.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/07/web1_071017mju_bb_post217_10.jpgMike Ullery | AIM Media Josh Nixon takes a cut for Sidney Monday.

Mike Ullery | AIM Media Sidney Post 217 outfielder Keeton McEldowney makes a catch Monday.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/07/web1_071017mju_bb_post217_1.jpgMike Ullery | AIM Media Sidney Post 217 outfielder Keeton McEldowney makes a catch Monday.

Mike Ullery | AIM Media Sidney catcher Kyle Subler tracks down a foul ball for an out against Piqua.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/07/web1_071017mju_bb_post-217_5.jpgMike Ullery | AIM Media Sidney catcher Kyle Subler tracks down a foul ball for an out against Piqua.
Sidney pounds way to league title

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