Drew Kuns and his cronies fall short at World Series
In a quarterfinal game at the National Amateur Baseball Federation College World Series presented by Buckeye Cable Sports Network, the Toledo Gold Hawks saw a highly-successful season come to a swift and disappointing conclusion with a loss to the Chicago Zephyrs at Toledo's Ned Skeldon Stadium. 

Playing for the Gold Hawks was 6-foot-2, 190 pound Drew Kuns (Clay/Bowling Green), the MVP of last year's CWS. The Gold Hawks were 2-1 in pool play, defeating the Genoa Rampage 12-3, the Kent White Sox (New York) 9-4, and gave the runner-up Crystal Lake Cardinals (Illinois) their only loss during the tournament by the score of 5-3.

Also qualifying in the CWS was the Toledo Black Hawks, a sister team, with local players including 6-1, 230 Ryan Hotmer (Lake/Owens CC) and 6-0, 165 Oregon resident Jake Rightnowar (Toledo Christian/Trine).

The Black Hawks were 1-2 in pool play and did not qualify for the quarterfinals. The Black Hawks defeated the Illinois Jayhawks 11-3, but lost to the eventual champion Utica Brewers (New York) 5-4 and the Michigan Bulls 12-2.

During the quarterfinal, it was Zephyr hurler Alci Gonzalez (Point Park University) who stopped the Hawks' victory train. With pinpoint control of a devastating two-seam fastball, Gonzalez shut down a vaunted Hawk offensive attack that had soared with authority all year. 

Only five hits — and three walks — were allowed to the Hawk hitters, and these were scattered as Gonzalez (who pitched all nine innings for Chicago) got 18 of the 27 outs on ground balls to his sure-handed infielders.

The only Hawks' run scored in the third inning when second sacker Levi Pauli (Defiance) singled to right-center with one out, was joined on the bases when Corey Lehman (Siena Heights) followed with a sharp single to left, moved to third on Blake Schmenk's (Owens CC) right-side groundout, and scored on one of the few errant pitches by Gonzalez. Schmenk was the only Hawk chosen for the All-Tournament Team.

Other Hawk hits in the game were a first-inning single by the sweet-swinging Kuns (Bowling Green), a second-inning hit by catcher Eric Croak (Toledo) in the second inning, and a fifth-inning infield hit by speedster Eric Yunker (Ohio Northern).

Sports announcements        
The Genoa varsity football team will be having a scrimmage Aug. 19 at Comet Stadium beginning at 6 p.m. This is considered a jamboree and will be played like a game situation. Cost is $4 per person with no passes accepted. Reserve seats will be honored but all persons will be charged.

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The Genoa High School athletic department will be holding sign-ups for Helping Hands passes and open reserve seats on Aug. 17. A meeting will be in the high school cafeteria from 5-7 p.m.

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Eastwood High School is going to be supporting a program through Nike that helps recycle used shoes into materials for playgrounds, tracks, and field turf. Starting with the beginning of the school year and running through February, Eastwood will have bins set up in buildings to help collect these old tennis shoes for later recycling. Spearheading this effort is the Dowling Stitch, Stir & Stock 4-H group, and Eastwood seventh grader Hannah Sponaugle. There will be more information on the district webpage and in Superintendent Brent Welker’s community e-mails.

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To celebrate its 15 year class reunion and to help raise money for the Eastwood Educational Foundation, the Class of 1996 is having a golf outing on Sept. 3 at Tanglewood Golf Course with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Cost is $55 per player, $200 per team, and a non golf attendee can participate for $25, which includes lunch. Call Stephanie (Smoot) Jennings at 810-923-2796 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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The Archbold Streaks will be visiting the Eastwood Eagles for a football scrimmage on August 19, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Freedom Field. In lieu of taking admission for the scrimmage, Eastwood will be asking anybody who attends the game to bring a donation for the Community Food Pantry. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, First United Presbyterian Church, and Pemberville United Methodist Church all support the Community Food Pantry and need your donations.   Any type of nonperishable food item can be donated including canned goods, condiments, tissues, paper towels, hand soap, bar soap, and cash donations are always welcome.

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The Ohio Hurricanes 16 and under softball team will hold tryouts on Aug. 14 at 4 p.m. at the City of Oregon’s William P. Coontz Recreation Center diamonds No. 3 and No. 4. Call Steve Hornyak at 419-410-4971.

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PowerKids Flag Football for youth entering kindergarten through second grade has begun sign-ups through Aug. 24 for the upcoming season. League runs Sept. 1-Oct. 27. Run by the Northwest Ohio Fellowship of Christian Athletes, it is open to all residents in the surrounding areas. This is a league that is based on learning the fundamental part of the game of football. Games will take place at Maumee Bay Turf Center as well as Heritage Christian Church, both in Oregon. Enrollment ends Aug. 24. Call Matt Medina at 419-343-0743, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit www.nflflag.com/website/home/nwohiofcapowerkids.

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The Power Baseball Travel Club 11U team is looking for players for fall 2011 and/or the 2012 season. Previous travel experience preferred. Tryouts will Aug. 13 at 1 pm at Beech Street Park in Rossford and August 14 at 1 pm at River Road Park, corner of Brookford and River Road in Toledo. Registration starts 15 minutes before tryouts.  E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact Rich Miller at 419-343-6094.

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