By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Niles' 13-year-old All-Stars ended the Babe Ruth Ohio Valley Regional the same way they started it - in a blowout.
Errors and a lack of offense led host Niles to a 14-1 loss Saturday to Wisconsin in the loser's bracket of the tournament. It was the All-Stars' second loss in the regional, ending their postseason play.
Poor defense was again a factor for Niles in giving up runs. In Thursday's opening round game, the team gave up 17 runs to Grosse Pointe South, largely due to errors.
Niles fell behind early, down 6-1 at the end of the third. But never were Niles' defensive holes more apparent than the fifth inning.
Five errors and two walks led to eight Wisconsin runs in the inning. The outburst put the All-Stars from Eau Claire up 14-1. When Niles failed to score a run in its half of the inning, the game was over due to the 10-run rule.
Niles also struggled at the plate. While the All-Stars scored their only run in the first inning, their only hit of the game didn't come until the third.
The run was a result of four walks in the inning. Josh Eaves collected the RBI on the bases-loaded walk, while Will Coar scored the run. Tyler Jackson had Niles' only hit.
Niles had its opportunities at the plate in the first inning. Wisconsin's starter walked the first three batters he faced. With the bases-loaded and no outs, the home team could muster just the one run on a walk.
Friday
South Indiana….6
Wisconsin……….5
Wisconsin scored all five of its runs in the bottom of the third to tie the game. After three scoreless innings, Indiana went ahead for good in the top of the seventh. Taylor Klein had three hits and two RBIs for Indiana.
Ohio……………………16
Western Kentucky….3
Ohio only needed an 11-run first inning to secure the victory in the four-inning game. Ohio's 16 runs came on just 10 hits. Jaymee Shepard led Ohio with a double, a triple and three RBIs.
Eastern Kentucky….2
Northern Indiana…..1
Kentucky's Devon Williams had a sacrifice in the bottom of the third inning for the game-winning RBI. Williams also pitched for Kentucky, striking out seven and allowing just two hits.
Saturday
Grosse Pointe South…8
West Virginia……………6
Andy Wybo led Grosse Pointe, the Michigan representative, with two hits and two RBI.
Illinois……………7
North Indiana….6
Northern Indiana scored two runs in its final at bat to pull within one run, but it wasn't enough to top Illinois. Jordan Amlong led Illinois with three hits.
Western Kentucky….4
Wisconsin……………..9
Wisconsin scored its nine runs on 10 hits to advance in the tournament.
Illinois………….11
West Viriginia….8
Illinois was up big, 11-2, before West Virginia got its offense going.
Sunday
Southern Indiana…..4
Ohio……………………..0
Indiana got solid pitching from Ethan Cole and Graham Brown, combining for the shutout and allowing five hits.
E. Kentucky………..15
Grosse Pointe S……9
Seven runs in the fifth weren't enough for Michigan's representative to stay out of the loser's bracket.
Ohio…..22
Illinois….1
Ohio scored early and often in the rout and compiled 24 hits. Eight Ohio players had two hits or more.
Wisconsin……….19
Grosse Pointe S…8
Wisconsin jumped ahead early, leading 8-1 after the first inning.