A Season of Promise
The Division IV state championship game ended with a 5‑1 victory for Sandusky Perkins, who jumped out to a three‑run lead in the first inning and never looked back, using aggressive baserunning to extend the margin.
Fenwick closed the season at 23‑9, securing their fifth state tournament berth and winning 14 of their final 17 games, a stretch that made them one of the hottest teams in the state.
Coach Doc Wieland, who oversaw a demanding schedule and a new coaching staff, acknowledged that Perkins was the better team but praised his squad’s effort, resilience and camaraderie throughout the campaign.
Starting pitcher Carter Shouse left the game early due to back tightness, but reliever Caleb McMonigle entered and helped prevent further damage, while Perkins’ ace Braxden Martin scattered six hits over seven innings and struck out six batters.
Fenwick’s only run came in the third inning when Hudson Kreke and McMonigle drove in a RBI, but the Falcons could not generate additional scoring against Martin’s dominant pitching.
Looking Ahead
Seniors such as Jackson Kauffman, Ty Miller, Michael Kelchner, Boyd Westerfield and Jude McCullough will graduate, leaving a legacy that Kauffman believes will be remembered as one of the greatest chapters in Fenwick history.
Wieland emphasized the team’s growth, maturity and unselfishness, noting that the tough regular‑season slate forged the chemistry that carried them to the championship game.