Start wins third straight Senior Acme state title

7/29/2001

COLDWATER, Ohio - Start won the Senior Acme state baseball tournament for the third straight year by beating Defiance 8-4. Since the tournament's inception in 1961 the Spartans are the first to capture three straight titles.

Pitcher Justin Laraway, with two wins and a save, was the tourney MVP. Rob Hemmig, the Spartans' catcher, and shortstop Nate Hall hit .500 for the series.

The Spartans were down 2-1 in the fifth, but scored four to take the lead.

The Spartans had to overcome a 3-2 loss to Defiance earlier yesterday. Start scored two in the opening inning, but the Bulldogs got three in the fifth and held on to force a second game in the double elimination tournament.