AKRON — Hillsdale’s Owen Hoffman walked off the field with no regrets Saturday evening.
The senior third baseman recorded three hits in four at bats Saturday in a Division IV state semifinal at Akron’s Canal Park.
Hoffman and the Falcons (19-12) ultimately fell short 3-1 against Cinderella foe Fort Recovery, who entered the state tournament with a 9-11 record.
“It’s just the way the ball rolled this time,” the senior said. “I mean, you can’t be too upset about it. It was a good game and I couldn’t have asked for a better senior season.”
Following the loss, Hillsdale faithful greeted the team as they gathered in the stands near right field.
Hoffman voiced his appreciation for the community’s support throughout his high school career.
“Everybody just makes you feel so loved and welcome,” he said. “You just feel like one big, giant family and it definitely helps to be on a big team with a bunch of guys who are great people.”
Falcons leave bases loaded
Following a scoreless first inning, the Indians struck first in the home half of the second.
Fort Recovery’s Alex Gaerke singled to center field and advanced to second via a Hillsdale error. Two batters later, Reece Evers singled to left field — scoring Gaerke and establishing a 1-0 lead over the Falcons.
Fort Recovery coach Kevin Eyink said scoring first was a key component of the Indians’ win.
“That was huge,” he said. “That helps us relax a little bit.”
Seeking to respond, Hillsdale loaded the bases in the top of the third.
Falcon first baseman Byron Bickel led off with a single to left field and moved to second when Jack Fickes reached on an error. Bickel was thrown out at third on Brock Bower’s sacrifice bunt attempt and a single to right by Hoffman loaded the bases.
The Falcon’s offensive surge concluded when Fort Recovery’s Alex Dues struck out the next two batters — leaving Hillsdale scoreless through three innings.
Hillsdale coach Jason Snow said his team struggled to make a clutch hit.
“They (Fort Recovery) got a couple big hits and we didn’t,” he said. “(We) had the opportunities, but we did swing the bat a little bit.”
“He (Dues) did a nice job mixing up speeds. We had our opportunities and we didn’t take advantage.”
Fort Recovery extends lead in third
Up 1-0 to begin the home half of the third, the Indians plated two more runs and extended their lead to 3-0.
Troy Homan doubled down the right field line and advanced to third on a Hillsdale error. Homan scored on a sacrifice fly from Caden Homan, just beating the throw.
Singles from Caden Grisez and Gaerke put runners on first and second. During the next at bat, Gavin Faller doubled down the left field line — scoring Gaerke and increasing the Indians’ advantage to 3-0.
To begin the fourth, Hillsdale’s Aiden Hoffman reached first via a walk. Two batters later, Fickes drove in Hoffman — the Falcons’ lone score — on a single to right center field.
Neither team would score during the final three innings.
Highlight reel
‘Who would’ve thought that we would end up here?’
The Falcons finished Saturday’s game with six hits. Owen Hoffman led Hillsdale with three hits in four at bats. Brady Heller, Bickel and Fickes each tallied a hit.
Fickes pitched six innings for the Falcons — giving up 10 hits and two earned runs. He struck out four and walked one.
After facing midseason struggles, Snow said he was proud of the way his team battled back to a Final Four appearence.
“Who would’ve thought that we would end up here?” he said. “It’s just a credit to these guys for battling (and) sticking with the plan.”
“I thought we executed extremely well in the tournament. Today, we had a couple things that maybe cost us a run here and there, but I couldn’t be any prouder of these kids and how they stuck with it and battled.”
Indians to meet defending state champs Sunday
The Indians (17-12) advance to Sunday’s Division IV state championship game for the first time since 1953.
Fort Recovery recorded 10 hits in Saturday’s state semifinal. Riggs Tobe and Gaerke led the Indians with two hits each. Caden Homan, Troy Homan, Evers, Grisez, Faller and Dues each tallied a hit.
Dues went the distance for Fort Recovery. The right-hander surrendered six hits and one earned run while striking out five.
Eyink said his team maintained confidence throughout a tough regular season schedule and carried it into the postseason.
“Most of the season we’re in games against really good competition,” he said. “We knew we could compete.
“Our league is really strong and we knew we could compete with just about anybody — especially with Alex Dues and Caden Grisez pitching.”
Fort Recovery will meet Berlin Hiland in the Division IV state championship game Sunday at 7 p.m. back at Akron’s Canal Park. Hiland defeated Russia 2-0 Saturday in the second Division IV state semifinal.
The defending state champions, the Hawks are ranked No. 1 in the state by the OHSBCA and third-ranked by Prep Baseball.
(Below are photos from Fort Recovery’s 3-1 victory over Hillsdale on Saturday evening at Akron’s Canal Park. Credit: Curt Conrad, staff reporter)
