The rematch had overtones of their first meeting three weeks ago.  Loramie took advantage of one disastrous inning (the fourth) to beat rival Russia 4-1, and capture the outright baseball title Thursday in the Shelby County League.

Fort Loramie righthander Maverick Grudich spun a gem from the mound Tuesday, and the Redskins collected enough hits in one big inning to seize control of the Shelby County League baseball standings over Russia...at least for now.

They paid no attention to a pre-season rankings snub, and have since gone unbeaten in their first eight games.  Braylon Cordonnier (above) and the Russia Raiders looked every bit the part of a defending state champion Tuesday in a 9-0 shutout win over Jackson Center.

Undertaking an unthinkable situation following a tragic loss, Russia's Spencer Cordonnier stepped in at the 11th hour to guide the the Raiders to a share of the Shelby County League title, the sectional, district and regi0nal title, and all the way to the Division IV OHSAA state semi -final game. We appreciatively recognize him as our 2023 area boys basketball Coach of The Year.

Well-pitched and close throughout, Fort Loramie evened its early record with a run in the bottom of the seventh to edge St. Henry in a Monday softball thriller. Loramie coach Brad Turner (above) watches Ella Hoelscher score the winning run. Read more in Tuesday's Press Pros.