Hibbard's 75 tops all scorers at FAGA event

FOSTORIA – The best round of the day came from Andrew Hibbard, who fired a 75 at Loudon Meadows and won the Boys 14-15 Division at the Findlay Area Golf Association's tournament Thursday. Asher Norman put up a 76, outdistancing Peyton Beilharz – the runner-up in the boys 16 division – by two strokes. In the girls 14-18 division, Sara Combs and EmmaLee Von Lemden each shot a 78, with Combs claiming the win in a playoff hole. In the boys 12-13 division, Carter McKibben shot a winning 79. FAGA's next event will be July 20 at the Findlay Country Club Boys 16-16: Asher Norman 76; Peyton Beilharz 78; Aiden Cline 83. Boys 14-15: Andrew Hibbard 75; Thayne Shepherd 81; Bentley Anderson 84. Girls 14-18: Sarah Combs 78*; EmmaLee VonLehmden 78; Lauren Hibbard 86*. Boys 12-13: Carter McKibben 79; Logan Klaus 87; Corbin Pessell 93 Girls 10-13: Caroline Bennett 53; Hannah Dotson 67; Lydia Alge 77 Boys 10-11: Connor Troiano 47; Beckett Parker 48*; Ben Grace 48 Best brilliant as Sluggers rally FINDLAY— Findlay High School graduate Ben Best came in to pitch in the top of the sixth inning for the Flag City Sluggers Thursday night, needing to hold things where they were. The Xenia Scouts had scored three runs off Sluggers starter Leo McEnulty in the top of the fifth inning, and came to bat in the sixth with a 3-1 advantage. Best made sure they didn't get any more runs. In fact, the Scouts didn't get anything. The former standout for the Trojans delivered four perfect innings of relief. Best didn't allow a hit, a walk or a runner of any kind, striking out five Xenia hitters. And when Flag City scored single runs in the sixth and seventh and then plated three more in the eighth, it not only led to the Sluggers third consecutive win -- a 6-3 triumph -- but Best's first victory of the season. Flag City took the lead in the eighth, when, with the contest tied at 3, the Sluggers Drew Tajblik, Atticus Huffstutler and Miles Mitchell (all of whom were named to the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League North Division All-Star team) each drove in a run. Cameron Spezia doubled, scored and had an RBI for the Sluggers, while Tajblik finished with two hits and two RBIs. Mitchell and Huffstutler had three hits each. Xenia's Jack Drew clubbed a two run homer in the fifth off McEnulty, part of the Scouts three-run frame. McEnulty – another Sluggers' All-Star-- allowed six hits and struck out six while walking five in a no-decision. The Scouts used four pitchers, with Ryan Redding taking the loss in relief. In the game Wednesday, the Sluggers used a six-run burst in the sixth inning to beat the Scouts 11-3. Spezia – whose three-run homer helped the Sluggers snap a six game losing streak on Tuesday-- keyed the offense again with a double, two singles and three RBIs. Flag City first baseman Gino Williams singled and plated three runs in the win. Miles Mitchell added a double, two singles, two runs scored and an RBI for the Sluggers. Kaden Ford doubled, singled and drove in a run. Kobe Ladd picked up the win in relief, pitching three scoreless innings. He allowed two hits, walked one and struck out three. Keagan Baugh started for the Sluggers, going the first four innings and allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out four. Tiffin Calvert graduate Caden Otterbacher threw the final two innings for Flag City, punching out three while allowing a run on three hits. For Xenia, Jack Drew doubled and scored a run, while Drew Snipes singled, scored twice and had an RBI. The Scouts' JT McLaughlin started and pitched the first five innings, allowing six runs on six hits, walking four and striking out four in taking the loss. The All-Star Game will take place July 21 in Mason. Huffstutler was voted the starting catcher, and Tajblik will be a starting outfielder. In addition, Mitchell, a third baseman, and shortstop Brett Reed were selected for the game, as were pitchers Aidan Murphy, McEnulty and Max Dunaway. Two other Sluggers – first baseman Williams and second baseman Trenton Smith – were designated as "Prospects" for the game, meaning they will be used in case of injury or unforeseen unavailability. Flag City is 16-13, in second place in the North Division. The Sluggers will host the Grand Lake Mariners at 6 p.m. tonight at Marathon Diamonds.