TIFFIN — Wondering “what if” can sometimes be a double-edged sword.
On one hand, it can act as a catalyst in problem solving or creativity. On the other hand, it can lead to anxiety and stress.
After Ashland’s 8-3 loss to top-seed Defiance in a Division III baseball district semifinal at Tiffin University’s Paradiso Athletic Complex, coach AJ Beer can’t help but wonder …
What if Carson Little started on the mound instead of Arrows’ ace Evan Dahinden?
Coming off a 100-pitch outing on Thursday in their sectional championship win over Celina, Dahinden got the nod and quickly found himself in a hole, walking the first batter and seeing him brought home on an RBI single immediately after.
Defiance then proceeded to score three-straight runs when Brayden Weaver was hit by a pitch, Grady Crist drew a walk and Diego Tavares was plunked. A Will Horvath sacrifice fly and fielding error on a hard hit ball from Colt Ward gave the Bulldogs a commanding 6-0 lead after one.
The second inning started in a similar way with lead-off hitter Jase Brownlee getting hit by a pitch, followed by Mason Noirot singling to center field. Drew Allegretti singled to score Brownlee and signaled the end of Dahinden’s day on the mound — 49 pitches, four hits allowed, eight runs, seven earned, one strikeout, three walks, three hit by pitch.
“He was on four days and he’s used to five, so obviously that could be that can be part of it,” Beer said. “But it just wasn’t his day. I talk to our guys all the time that you it’s about who’s best … and tonight, he just wasn’t as sharp.
“He looked really sharp four days ago and he’s shown really good stuff for us all year. He’s matured as a pitcher and I know he’s going to learn from this, we’re excited to have him back next year.”
Little came into pitch. Daniel Orta hit a sac fly to right field to score what would be Defiance’s final run.
Little would go on to throw a one-hitter with five strikeouts and two walks on 62 pitches to completely shut down the Bulldogs’ once potent offense.
“Carson pitched really effective, it was good to see him have some success,” Beer said. “He’s been our number two all year, so coming out of the bullpen has been something new. But he pitched really well and I’m proud of him. He came in at a tough spot and kept is in the game, he did his job.”
What if Carter Nelson made it home safe to extend the rally?
Ashland’s bats finally came alive in the fourth.
Ethan Haag and Tanner Wolfe drew back-to-back walks to start the inning before Noah Merrill drove in Haag on a single to left field. Brayten Stuart laid down a bunt and reached base on an error to load the bases, allowing Trent Summers to ground out to short and score Wolfe on a fielder’s choice.
Nelson did the exact same in the next at bat scoring Merrill before Nick Manges stepped up and ripped a double to centerfield that saw Nelson waved home and thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
“We gave them some free passes there in the beginning and got down early, which is something you don’t want to do in the tournament,” Beer said. “But we fought … I’m proud of our guys because they competed. It easily could have gone the other way, but they stayed in it.”
Ashland went down in order in the fifth and sixth. A late rally attempt in the seventh was shut down with a game-ending strikeout, ending the Arrows’ season in the process.
What if the Arrows didn’t fight to the very last out?
Thankfully this isn’t something Beer would ever have to wonder about. That’s not the type of team he coached this year. And this group of seniors — Summers, Manges, Wolfe, Bryant, Jackson Kinney, Henry Kinney, Ajay Workman — wouldn’t have let it happen.
“This is my first group (as a head coach), so they’re special to me,” Beer said. “Even though I’ve been around, there have been some changes made and we talk all the time about the standard. They helped pave the way to set the new standard.
“It’s a big group of seniors … and they all mean something to me, they’re special. I can’t be prouder of them for their fight and willingness to come out and compete every day.”
zholden@gannett.com | 419-617-6018 | Twitter/X: @Zachary_Holden
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Ashland battles to the very end in district semifinal loss to Defiance
Reporting by Zachary Holden, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
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