Columbian turns back Bellevue, 3-2

TIFFIN — The first time Bellevue saw Columbian pitcher Isaiah Tilse this season, the SBC Lake player of the year had his way with the Redmen lineup. He struck out 15 and only gave up one unearned run on just one hit as TC won 2-1 back on April 10. Fast forward to Friday night in a Division II sectional final at Heidelberg's Peaceful Valley, and Tilse was the pitcher again. It was a bit different this time, but Columbian's three-run first inning was enough as the Tornadoes edged rival Bellevue 3-2. After pitcher Cody Lindsey settled in after the opening inning, the Redmen (11-11) did exactly what they wanted, which was to slow Tilse down on the mound and not let him get into a rhythm. He finished his night after just five innings with five strikeouts, three walks and two runs given up on three hits. But the Redmen just couldn't get enough offense going. "I give (Lindsey) a lot of credit because he gave us a chance to win. After giving up a three-spot in the first, I told him the leash was pretty short and I was gonna go to his brother, but after those three runs, he shut them out the rest of the way," Bellevue coach Andy Dennings said. "Outstanding. I couldn't of asked for a better performance out of him. He's got a big heart and he'e a heck of a competitor and all of our kids played hard. "We worked the game plan we talked about working (Tilse). We said he'd get us a couple times because he's such a good pitcher, but we're gonna make him work and we're gonna battle our butts off at the plate. They were just one run better tonight. We settled in and gave ourselves a chance to win … but it was a great high school baseball game." Lindsey got the first two outs of the game easily, but then the Tornadoes scored all three runs with two outs. Bryce Roggow worked a walk and then sprinted to third base after a bad throw on a pickoff attempt. Braylon Auble then roped a RBI single to left. Taleb Al-Zakwani smoked a RBI triple to right-center and Johnny Bremyer scored him after a RBI single to left. The only other time the Tornadoes really threatened was in the bottom of the sixth as Gavin McLane reached on an error and Blake Gaulden blasted a line drive to right center, but Bellevue center fielder Dylan Barger made an incredible diving catch to keep TC at three runs. "This was tournament baseball. It's never going to be a walk in the park," Tornadoes coach Nick Weber said. "First inning we get out to a big start with two outs, but man, their outfield played a heck of a game saving them some runs. But that's Bellevue … they always limit the damage and take advantage of mistakes." Bellevue got on the board in the second as Caden Lindsey singled, but was out at second on a fielder's choice. With two outs, Seth Bova lined a single to right, scoring Kaden Cramer. In the fifth, the Redmen had runners on second and third with one out. Barger scored on an Ike Brown groundout and Tilse ended his night getting Cody Lindsey to ground out, stranding Drew Dennings at third. "We've been trying to put a few wins together, which we won three in a row coming into here and I liked our chances if we come outta here, but they should walk away with their heads held high," coach Dennings said. "We just weren't able to get it done today, but it wasn't for a lack of effort or heart."