Miller City Roars Past Continental For Lone PCL Title

Continental - Miller City proved today that defense wins championships, especially the PCL kind. Continental would go "1-2-3" in the first three innings and that performance was the beginning of the end as Miller City would continue to put runs up in those innings. Early scores combined with steady defense would push Miller City to a lone PCL title and a 7-1 victory.

In inning one, Jack Wenzinger was the hero both ways as he got a single with one out, stole his way to third, and then was brought home via a Max Long single. He backed this performance up on the mound by generating a groundout and striking out Nolan Cordes. The score after one was 1-0 MC lead.

In inning two, a leadoff walk and stolen base from Andrew Weis set the tone. Jude Otto's flyout would advance Weis to third before a fielder's choice resulted in both runners being safe and the Wildcats adding a run. Back to back singles from Brayden Niese and and Jack Wenzinger would score Reyna and Niese on back to back pitches. The Wildcats found themselves up 4-0 after two.

In the third, the Pirate's ace Jayden Pitney would step up to get an early groundout followed by an error putting Jonathon Pester on base. Pester would become irrelevant as Pitney would get Weis and Jude Otto to strikeout for his third and fourth of the day.

Jack Wenzinger would one up this performance with striking out the side in the bottom of the third with just 14 pitches. Wenzinger would end up getting his 4th strikeout in a row to open the fourth inning.

Pitney would stay dialed in on the mound and give his outfield some work as the Wildcats were put down 1-2-3 with two outs in center field plus one to left. Rhettik Bowers would get on base with two outs for the Pirates but after stealing a base was stranded due to a Quinn Tegenkamp groundout back to the pitcher.

Before the fifth, Jayden Pitney would be replaced by freshman pitcher Adin Daisy. Pitney would end the day with 4.0 IP, allowing 5 hits, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 4 runs (all earned). 

Miller City would heat right back up in this inning. Wenzinger would lead things off with a walk and Brendan Barlage would get his hit streak extended to ten games with a double putting runners on second and third for Max Long. Long sent a ball deep into right field that scored Wenzinger and advanced Barlage to third. Another hit streak would continue as Johnathon Pester would hit a RBI double for his 16th straight game with a hit. With two outs an error from the shortstop would score Pester and put Jude Otto on second where he was stranded. The score would be 7-0 after the 5th.

Keenan Bowers would be the first leadoff runner on for the Pirates in the gam after a single. After a wild pitch and a groundout, Bowers would move to third before ultimately being stranded there after a flyout to right field by pinch hitter Logan Hammond.

Before this last out Jack Wenzinger was replaced on the bump by Jonathon Pester. Wenzinger ended the game with 4.2 IP, 2H, 7K, 0BB, and 1 WP. 

Despite a four pitch walk to Jude Otto, a single for Brayden Niese, and a double steal putting both of them in scoring position the Wildcats could not convert in the 6th. A popup and strikeout would put two down before Max Long sent a well struck ball to left field that found the glove of Jackson Bidlack.

The lone run of the game for Continental would come in the sixth. Pester tossed back to back walks after the batters worked into full counts. Pitney stole second and third putting runners on the corners and one out for Quinn Tegenkamp. Tegenkamp sent a roller to the third baseman but a weird hop wouldn't allow Will Otto to make the play and Pitney would score. The Pirates got one back but were still down 7-1 after 6. 

With one out Andrew Weis would single and Jude Otto would be hit by a pitch putting runners on first and second for pinch hitter Myles Kuhlman. Kuhlman would strikeout but after him Will Otto would walk in five pitches loading the bases. The top of the order in Brayden Niese would strikeout looking in a 2-2 count leaving the bases loaded.

A leadoff single and stolen base from Jackson Bidlack followed by a single from pitcher Adin Daisy put runners on the corners with no one out. Daisy stole second and was safe but a beautiful throw home from Brayden Niese and a tag from Brendan Barlage would get Bidlack out at home. Colton Hiltner would strikeout and a Parker Knowles flyout would end the game in a 7-1 Wildcat victory.

With this win Miller City moved to 20-3 (6-1) and Continental fell to 4-16-1 (2-5). The Wildcats won their first PCL crown since 2021 and their 18th all time. Miller City will take on Marion Local and Ottoville (sectional finals) in their upcoming game (both on Putnam Sports Radio). Continental will play Delphos Jefferson and Kalida (a sectional final on WZOQ).

BOX SCORE

MC: 7R 8H 1E 9LOB

CP: 1R 4H 2E 5LOB

WP: Jack Wenzinger (5-0)

LP: Jayden Pitney (3-4)

Read more articles by Chase Dettrow