NLL teams dominate opposition

5/22/2009

BOWLING GREEN - Perrysburg and Anthony Wayne combined for 22 hits and 24 runs in district semifinal wins yesterday to ensure an all-Northern Lakes League match-up in the Division I final.

Anthony Wayne (18-7) tore the cover off the ball with 13 hits and Generals pitcher Jordan Schwerer threw a gutsy complete game in a 10-3 triumph over Ashland.

Perrysburg (23-6) banged out nine hits and took advantage of five errors to mercy Marion Harding 14-2 in the other semifinal. The NLL foes square off tomorrow in the D-I district final at Carter Park.

"The goal was to have an-NLL final," Perrysburg coach Dave Hall said. "This shows just how tough our league is. It really prepares us for the tournament."

Anthony Wayne (18-7) scored four runs in the first, which was enough support for Schwerer against Ashland. The junior gave up seven hits and struck out four despite suffering cramps in his arm.

The Generals tacked on five runs in the fourth to advance.

"We came out aggressive and we hit the ball hard," AW coach Mark Nell said. "We have good athletes throughout the lineup. It was nice to give Jordan that cushion."

AW sent eight batters to the plate in the first. Anthony Meyers tripled in Schwerer who led off with a single. Devon East singled in Meyers for a 2-0 lead. Sam Fischer then doubled in two more.

Schwerer did not yield a run until the fourth.

"After I got some runs I settled in," said Schwerer, who gave up one run in the fourth and two in the fifth. "My fastball and changeup were doing it for me."

Schwerer also scored two runs. Fischer was 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs. East went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and he scored twice. Greg Buckley doubled in a run and Jack Henry had two singles and two RBIs.

"Everybody's got each other's backs," Schwerer said. "We feed off each other's energy."

Schwerer (3-3) encountered cramps in his forearms and hands in the fifth, but closed out the game.

"I've never seen that before," Nell said. "He wasn't going to come out of the game because of that. He did what he had to do. He pitched well."

Schwerer said the team wanted to save ace Mike Frank for tomorrow's final.

"I wanted to take this one," Schwerer said.

Perrysburg sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs in the top of the first inning as Marion Harding committed three errors.

The Yellow Jackets plated three more in the third on two hits and they put it out of reach with a six-run fourth.

Perrysburg starter Blake Schmenk gave up just two hits. Eight batters scored runs for the Yellow Jackets and six had at least one hit. Taylor Dimmerling, Blake Schmenk, Matt Slocum, Zack Hefner, Matt White and Alec Schmenk each scored two runs. Jordan Bringman and Troy Mugler each drove in two runs.

"Our hitting is contagious like that," Hall said. "[Scoring first] always helps. We thought we could take care of business."

AW and Perrysburg split two games this season. The Yellow Jackets beat the Generals in the district final last season.

"We expect another close game," Hall said.

Contact Mark Monroe at:

mmonroe@theblade.com

or 419-304-4760.