Circleville’s magical run ends with semifinal loss

Twelve games into the season, Circleville looked to be an also-ran not only in the Mid-State League Buckeye Division, but among just about every team within driving distance of Pickaway County. Then a friendly little wiffle ball game changed everything.

The Tigers were 4-8 when the game got the players to lighten up and to just play their game.

Circleville’s dream season ended when it lost to Wapakoneta 6-1 in a Division II state tournament semifinal, but coach Brian Bigam spoke to the players about how much they accomplished Friday at Huntington Park.

Bigam, who returned as coach this season after a decade away, then faced the fans and saluted them.

“I think earlier in the year we pressed after having such high expectations,” Bigam said. “They weren’t playing for the love of the game. We played a game of wiffle ball and talked about our passion for the game, and the next thing you knew we won 15 of their next 17 games. They made school history, city history and county history. This is something we’ll always be proud of.”

Wapakoneta (24-1) scored five runs in the third inning, with Wyatt Moyler delivering a tworun double.

The Tigers got three singles off Schenk. He struck out 10 and walked one.

Other than a 4-3 victory over Hillsboro in a district final, Circleville (19-11) breezed to the final four.

“Everybody has talked about the story of that game of wiffle ball that we played, when things began clicking,” shortstop Andrew Barnhart said. “We became famous. We came together as a team. We capitalized on our opportunities during this run. Looking back, we changed the culture at Circleville. We stayed focused and played our game.”

Outfielder Brad Henry managed a smile while talking about the journey.

“This season has been unbelievable and we couldn’t have done it without our coaching staff,” he said. “It has been a crazy ride and it’s tough for it to be over. I’m so proud of our team and our community. We are the first Circleville team to get to the state tournament, and that’s something for all of us to be proud.”

Ryan Peltier pitched a complete game and had an RBI triple in the first inning to lift Dayton Chaminade Julienne past Tallmadge in a Division II semifinal.

Peltier allowed one run on just two hits, struck out four and walked four over seven innings for the Eagles (23-5), who will face Wapakoneta for the state title. The Blue Devils (19-12) tied it in the third on Seth Gergely’s run-scoring single, but the Eagles answered in the top of the fourth as Jack Huffman singled in Nick Wissman.

In a Division I semifinal, Brock Nartker gave up two hits and seven walks and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings, and Andrew Murphy got the final out for the save to deliver the Generals into their first championship game.

Anthony Wayne (27-4) got its run in the bottom of the third when pinch-runner Jacob Neumeyer scored from second on a single by Nick Schneider.