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SCAL State Titles Mark Half a Century

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SCAL State Titles Mark Half a Century Sidney Daily News - 04/30/2021 Page : A06 6 Friday, April 30, 2021 SPORTS/NEWS Sidney Daily News COMMENTARY SCAL state titles mark half a century Russia baseball program won league’s first title in 1971 Twenty-nine The Raiders more state titles took the district have followed since with wins over Russia’s baseball New Miami and team became the Westmont. The first Shelby County Urbana regional Athletic League saw victories over program to win a Sports Botkins and Clin- championship. Extra ton Massie, and it When you refer- Dave was on to Colum- ence the list of bus in the quest Ross state champion- to win it all. The ships at scalsports. eventual champs com, you’ll see that Rus- had a 20 year reunion in sia’s 1971 “ice breaker” 1991 that enabled me to was the start of some- get the inside story on thing big. It’s now been the accomplishment. almost 50 years since the Head coach Roger Courtesy photo Raiders brought home the Eckenwiler correctly top trophy in small school presumed that the Friday Schulze-CF, Gary Schul- overall offensive day in to his nine years of Russia The Shelby County baseball. Saturday’s state semifinal with Ports- ze-2B, Dave Francis-P, state tourney history. coaching success (1967- Athletic League has a doubleheader with Fort mouth East would deter- Don Cordonnier-1B, The Banks bat and grand 76). Assistant and future long and proud tradition Recovery will be the plat- mine the state champion. Rick Bensman-3B, Dan slam ball are still in the head coach Jon Heffner that includes 30 state form to celebrate the half Two runs in the bottom of Goubeaux-C, Rick Gaier- proud possession of Ron specialized in pitching team championships century milestone which the sixth produced a 3-2 RF, John Grogean-LF, and Schulze, despite his next and threw intense batting beginning with 1971 Rus- is both ironic and appro- win behind Neal Schafer Neal Schafer-SS. generation once using practice, “better than sia baseball. Anna base- priate since Recovery with John Grogean con- The Raiders led only them in a backyard game. what they faced in games” ball won it all a year later won the basketball state tributing three hits. Old 4-3 after five innings but This team had grown according to the head and repeated in 1980. crown that same year. Fort won its semifinal erupted for nine markers up on baseball. Many coach. Eckenwiler was The first non-baseball The 1971 champi- to set the Saturday final in the next two frames in of their dads played as superstitious. Once the title was Fort Loramie onship season actu- matchup at Ohio State’s a 13-5 decision. Francis adults in the old Western season began, no more boys basketball in 1977. ally began in 1970 since Trautman Field. was the winning hurler as Ohio League. The boys haircuts. He always wore The first girls crown was Shelby County played fall Sultry weather pre- he went four innings with played continuously from low cut black tennis shoes Anna basketball in 1981. baseball back then. A trio vailed throughout the no earned runs. Schafer March through October. along with a windbreaker, 1971 baseball remains of classic matchups with weekend in the capital finished up for a save. There were 19 senior regardless of weather. Russia’s only state team archrival Fort Loramie city, and when the air Despite no re-entry rule boys in the class of 1971. The arrival back home title but its stature has provided the springboard conditioning failed at the or DH in those days, Eck- Ten were on the baseball is always special for a grown over the past five to the title. Loramie nul- team hotel on champion- enwiler was able to get 16 roster and seven were state champion. Fifty decades. Something very lified a Neal Schafer no- ship eve, the squad got players into the game. starters. Most didn’t do years later, Ron Schulze special happened on Sat- hitter in the fall for a 3-0 little sleep prior to the Ron Schulze had two basketball in the winter still smiles when he urday, June 5, 1971. Nice verdict before Russia took mid-morning contest. singles, one double, and it wasn’t due to any recalls that “we were job guys…and thanks both spring encounters Eckenwiler decided a triple, a grand slam coaching friction between treated like kings.” When to your community for by a combined three runs to start Dave Francis homer, five runs scored, the two sports since Eck- it happened in 1971, the remembering. Enjoy your including the sectional on the mound and save and 6 RBIs. Not bad for enwiler coached both. focus was on the current reunion. finals. Over the years I’ve Neal Schafer in reserve. a guy who couldn’t find Future Cleveland minor competitive accomplish- had many Russia players When one pitched, the his regular Johnny Bench leaguer Cordonnier ment rather than its place Sports Extra appears each Friday. Dave Ross joined the local sports tell me that Loramie was other played shortstop. “33” bat. He substituted credited Eckenwiler’s in SCAL athletic history. media in 1975, the same year he the best opponent they Thus the starting lineup a “34” Ernie Banks model “intensity and respect of Fifty years later, the per- fell in love with the Shelby County faced in 1970-71. and batting order: Ron and went on to the best every opponent” as keys spective changes. Athletic League. Edison State to hold Mortgages released on in-person graduation Land Bank properties ceremonies Aug. 13 PIQUA — The Edison State Community Col- lege Class of 2021 will have the opportunity to By Kyle Shaner purchased by a neighbor at a sher- written. Details were discussed, celebrate their graduation in person on Aug. 13, [email protected] April 30, 2021 6:01 am (GMT -4:00) iff’s sale. and there were no changes recom- 2021, at the Piqua Campus.Powered by TECNAVIA A property at 326 W. Park St. in mended. Two ceremonies will be held to accommodate SIDNEY – The Neighborhood Sidney that went unsold at a sher- Treasurer John Coffield reported current event guidelines, and times are to be Initiative Program released three iff’s sale reverted back to the Land the Land Bank received $52,095.09 determined. The ceremonies will honor all May, mortgages on properties owned by Bank. for delinquent tax and assessment June and December graduates who have earned the Shelby County Land Reutiliza- A property at 212 Sophia Ave. in collection fees in March. The Land a short-term technical certificate, certificate, or tion Corp., which is making plans Sidney was sold through a sealed Bank had $2,672.77 in expenses for associate degree from Edison State. 2020 Edison on what it will do with them mov- bid auction for $7,002 and will be the month. Its ending bank balance State graduates are also invited to participate. ing forward. rehabbed. was $520,095.09 as of March 31. The number of guests attending with graduates Director Doug Ahlers reported In total, the Land Bank has In reviewing the current check- is yet to be determined, but seating will be lim- during the April 20 Land Bank meet- acquired 93 properties, 77 of which ing account balance based on FDIC ited. All graduates will receive their official diplo- ing that the NIP released mortgages have been demolished and 15 of regulations, Coffield said the Land ma, 2021 commencement program and diploma on properties at 45 E. Park St. in which have been sold. The NIP has Bank meets the FDIC insured covers in the mail upon completing their program. Fort Loramie, 224 Queen St. in Sid- reimbursed $1,161,869.02 for demo- maximum of $250,000 for its bank For more information, call 937-778-8600. ney and the former Miami Inn prop- lition costs. account at Peoples Savings & erty at 500 N. Miami Ave. in Sidney. The Land Bank has properties Loan Association in Sidney. After Procedures for the sale or dispos- in foreclosure including a property a discussion, it was agreed that the al of the Land Bank’s properties are owned by John Deeter at 216 E. board immediately authorize Cof- 8 indicted in alcohol-related being reviewed, Ahlers said. Initial Main St. in Port Jefferson, a prop- field to open a savings account at preparations were made in 2016 but erty owned by Billy Schloss at 304 Peoples in the name of the Land death after fraternity party will need to be updated. High St. in Port Jefferson that likely Bank. Any money received from the sale will be demolished and a property Land Bank staff attended the of properties will be used to fund owned by Sherry VanFleet at 826 N. Ohio Land Bank Association meet- TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Eight people have been future property acquisitions and Main Ave. in Sidney. ing via Zoom. They are reviewing indicted in the alcohol-related death of an Ohio demolition expenses. The North Main Avenue property presented information to see how college student who was found unconscious after a The Land Bank plans to transfer in Sidney is tax delinquent, and they can utilize it. fraternity party, prosecutors said Thursday. a property at 323 S. Miami Ave. the Land Bank is trying to locate Two people, including a Hardin- A grand jury indicted the eight on charges rang- in Sidney to Holy Angels Catholic the owner. Someone has expressed Wapakoneta property owner, ing from involuntary manslaughter to hazing.
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