BASEBALL: Norwalk stops Vermilion on final play at the plate

NORWALK — The Norwalk baseball team won a thrilling SBC Lake Division finale on Monday. The Truckers scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the first inning, then threw out the potential game-tying run for the final out of the contest in the top of the seventh for the 1-0 victory at Norwalk High School. Norwalk improved to 14-10 overall with the win, and finished the Lake Division with a 7-5 record. The Sailors (17-6, 9-3) and Truckers could meet for a third time in a Division II district semifinal — if both teams win their respective sectional title games on May 21. In the bottom of the first inning, Sam Battles led off with a line drive single to left off Vermilion pitcher and NCAA Division I Akron University recruit Jacob Krausher. With two outs, Ian Minor singled to centerfield, and Battles scored from second for the 1-0 lead. That was all the Truckers got off Krausher, but it proved to be all Thomas Gfell needed. Gfell allowed singles in the first, fourth and sixth innings, and at one point retired eight batters in a row and 12 of 13. In the top of the seventh, Carter Klausing led off with a single, and advanced to second base on an error, sandwiched around a pair of strikeouts by Gfell. With two outs, Jaden Fox singled on a fly ball to right, but first baseman Nathan Adelman fired to catcher Sam Battles, who applied the tag for the final out of the game to preserve the victory. Gfell struck out five with no walks and allowed five hits in his seven scoreless innings. Battles singled a second time and Caleb Sommers added a single for the Truckers, who Krausher limited to four hits while striking out 10 with one walk. Norwalk was scheduled to visit Mansfield Madison on Tuesday in a non-league game to tentatively close out the regular season. The Truckers will host Perkins (12-9) in their sectional title game on May 21. Vermilion 000 000 0 — 0 5 0 Norwalk 100 000 x — 1 4 2 WP: Gfell; LP: Krausher W. Reserve 9, New London 5 NEW LONDON — The Roughriders improved to 6-16 overall and 4-7 in the Firelands Conference with Monday's road win over the Wildcats. Kaden Boswell finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs to pace the 'Riders, while Jude Muenz was 2 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and scored twice. Chris Buchanan singled and scored, and Matt Jarrett had two RBIs and Grant Bethard had one. Carson Roe allowed four earned runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and five walks to earn the win on the mound. For New London (3-12, 2-9), Jacob Shaver was 2 for 3 with a pair of home runs and three RBIs. Grant Heileman singled twice and also scored a run for the 'Cats. W. Reserve 301 122 x — 9 6 3 New London 100 040 0 — 5 6 2 WP: Roe; LP: Shaver 2B: (WR) Muenz; HR: (NL) Shaver 2