The Kenton Times

Times photo/John Blake
Ready to throw
Riverdale catcher Dave Rose attempts to throw out a runner at second base during the Falcons 13-2 loss to Toledo Christian in the Division IV district semifinals.
Falcons tourney run ended at districts by Toledo Christian
By JOHN BLAKE
Times sports writer
FINDLAY - The Riverdale baseball team's impressive postseason run came to an abrupt end on Wednesday night in a 13-2 district semifinal loss to Toledo Christian at Findlay High School.
The bad news for the Falcons of course lies in their six-inning double digit season-ending loss. The good news is they weren't even supposed to be in this position in the first place after an 0-22 finish a year ago.
"I told the kids when we got off the bus regardless of what happens, it starts tonight, meaning next year," said Riverdale head coach Wes Davis. "Nobody on the planet Earth thought we'd be here. I told them to keep their heads up, they got a sectional championship to put in their gunbelt."
(Refer to page 8 of the Kenton Times)

Six-run inning lifts Lady Falcons to win
ONTARIO - A six-run third inning proved to be the difference for Riverdale in a 7-6 softball win over Ontario in North Central Conference softball action on Wednesday.
The Falcons improve to 13-8 overall and 7-6 in NCC play. Ontario is now 11-11 and 7-6.
Riverdale trailed 4-1 after two innings before striking for six in the third inning. Ontario had single runs in the fourth and sixth innings.
Meghan Borkosky had 3 singles and 2 RBIs, Kaylee Sheets had a double, a single and 2 RBIs and Ashley Naus had a single and a pair of RBIs to lead the Falcons at the plate.
Amanda Wetherill added a single and an RBI and Allysha Wells had 2 singles for the Falcons.
Kelli Kotterman earned the pitching win, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks, while striking out four batters in three innings in the circle.
Kaylee Sheets came on in relief in the fourth inning, allowing two runs on a hit and three walks, while striking out three batters.
The Falcons will travel to Elida today, where they will play top-ranked Crestview in the Division IV district finals.
(Refer to page 8 of the Kenton Times)

WEDNESDAY MAY 21, 2008

Times photo/Kendrick Jesionowski
Making contact
Riverdale's Chelsea Dilley puts the bat to the ball during the Falcons district semifinal win on Tuesday. Dilley had a RBI in the win.
Falcons get past Arlington, earn spot in district finals
By KENDRICK
JESIONOWSKI
Times sports editor
ARLINGTON - Riverdale struck for two runs in the first inning against Arlington in the Division IV softball sectional finals on Tuesday.
That was all Falcons needed as starter Kaylee Sheets and her defense were able to hold off Arlington in a 3-1 win to advance to the district finals for the second time in four years.
The Falcons, 12-8 on the season, advance to Thursday night's district final at Elida, where they will play top-ranked Crestview (23-1) at 5 p.m.
The Knights defeated Lincolnview 5-0 Tuesday as Chelsey Lare threw a no-hitter against the Lancers.
"The same thing happened three years ago," Riverdale coach Doug Ebright said of the Falcons trip to Elida. "We went there and played Crestview and we gave them a heck of a game (the Falcons lost 2-0). We're just going to go down there and will play as hard as we can and see what happens."
(Refer to page 7 of the Kenton Times)

Martin to make long-awaited trip to

districts
By KENDRICK
JESIONOWSKI
Times sports editor
Jordan Martin's senior year is ending exactly how he envisioned it.
After near misses the last two seasons, the Kenton High School tennis standout is finally making the trip to the district tournament he always thought about when he was a seventh and eighth grader watching his cousin, former Wildcat standout Jarrett Hottman, playing in Port Clinton.
Martin, 12-11 this season, advanced to the Port Clinton district by winning his first three matches at last week's sectional tourney in Lima.
The senior, who ended up seeded fourth out of the Lima sectional, will playat 10 a.m. Thursday against Mansfield Christian's Wes Nitzsche, who was seeded first out of the Mansfield sectional.
"It's been my goal since freshman year to make it (to districts)," Martin said. "The last few years I've been one match away, but was always faced with a tough opponent and didn't make it past (sectionals), but this year I did.
"I think the desire to make it to districts my final year (has been the biggest difference) overtook even my skill and I'm always trying harder," Martin said.
(Refer to page 7 of the Kenton Times)

TUESDAY MAY 20, 2008

Five Wildcats receive league, district honors
Five Kenton baseball players received post-season awards during the Western Buckeye League and district meeting held this past weekend.
Receiving All-WBL honors from the Wildcats were seniors Alan Scharf and Trevor Beazley, who were both named to the second team; sophomore Mark Fackler, who was honorable mention and senior Tyler Slonecker, who was special mention.
Receiving second team Northwest Ohio Division II All-District recognition were Beazley as a pitcher, Scharf as a catcher and Fackler as an outfielder.
Wildcat shortstop Spencer Vermillion was honorable mention All-District.
Beazley was 5-5 with 59 strikeouts and a 1.98 ERA in 67 1/2 innings this spring. Opponents hit just .199 against him.
Fackler led the Wildcats with a .348 average, 24 hits and 19 RBIs in 69 at bats this spring, while Scharf, who led Kenton with 8 doubles, was second on the team with a .328 average, 19 hits and 14 RBIs in 58 at bats.
Slonecker hit .278 with 11 RBIs and 11 stolen bases, while Vermillion hit .232 and had 11 RBIs and tied for the team lead with 13 stolen bases.
(Refer to page 6 of the Kenton Times)