The Archbold baseball squad kicked off the ACME state tournament by defeating Perrysburg in a decisive opening match, setting an early tone of confidence for the team.
Right‑hander Isaiahs Gracia anchored the victory, tossing six and two‑thirds innings of four‑hit baseball while striking out 13 batters and delivering key hits at the plate.
Semifinal heartbreak
The momentum shifted in the semifinals when St. Henry rallied from a 4‑0 deficit to force a walk‑off finish, with Landen Schwartz delivering the game‑winning RBI single in the final at‑bat.
Gracia and Grayson Forward each contributed three singles, while Elijah Verhoff added two hits and two RBIs, underscoring the team's offensive depth despite the loss.
State title showdown
In the championship game, Archbold faced Fairview and fell 4‑3 after the opposition scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to clinch the title.
The narrow margin highlighted the team's resilience, as they had already demonstrated the ability to mount comebacks and execute under pressure throughout the tournament.
Additional contributors such as Tate Boeckman, Vedo Candiello and Aranjer Krieger provided depth and support, illustrating the collective effort behind Archbold's memorable run.