(Coaches Tiffany Friedrich, Adam Rice, Tyler Gansebom)
Tigers Blank Creighton “A” Behind Strong Pitching, Timely Hits
On Tuesday, June 3, after storms passed through the area, the Osmond 10U boys' baseball team took to the field in Creighton, shutting out Creighton “A” by a score of 2-0 in a crisp, well-played contest.
The Tigers struck early in the top of the first. Carter Gansebom set the tone with a leadoff single and later came around to score. Jameson Koehler and Knox Koehler each added base hits in the inning to help plate the game's first run.
Knox got the start on the mound for Osmond, making his first pitching appearance of the season a memorable one. The right-hander delivered a perfect first inning, recording two strikeouts in a 1-2-3 frame.
Both teams were quiet in the second inning, with no hits or runs recorded, but Osmond extended their lead in the top of the third when Jameson launched a solo home run to center field, giving the Tigers a 2-0 advantage.
Carter Gansebom took over pitching duties for the final two innings, also seeing his first action on the mound this year. He surrendered a couple of hits but kept Creighton off the scoreboard, notching one strikeout and securing the shutout win.
Koehler Dominates, Rice Homers as Tigers Top Elgin
3-1 The Osmond 10U boys baseball team continued its strong early-season run on Monday night, June 9, earning a 3–1 home victory over Elgin behind a dominant pitching performance from Jameson Koehler and a key late-inning home run from Axyl Rice.
Koehler, making his second start of the season, was nearly untouchable on the mound. He set the tone early, striking out the side in order in the top of the first and finishing with nine strikeouts over four innings, surrendering just one hit in the outing.
The Tigers struck early in the bottom of the first. Carter Gansebom and Jameson each singled, with Gansebom eventually coming around to score the game's first run.
Osmond added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth. After Gansebom reached on his second hit of the night, Axyl Rice delivered the big blow - a two-run home run that gave the Tigers a 3-0 cushion. Knox Koehler was hit by a pitch, and Jameson added another base hit, but the Tigers were unable to tack on further runs.
In the fifth, Spencer Koehler came on in relief to close out the game. Despite Elgin pushing across a run on three base hits, Spencer held firm to secure the win and preserve the Tigers’ unbeaten home record.
Rice Homers, Dominates on Mound as Tigers Blank Randolph 4-0
The Osmond 10U boys continued their winning ways on Thursday evening, June 12, shutting out Randolph 4-0 in a makeup game played at home. Axyl Rice was the star of the night, delivering both on the mound and at the plate in a complete performance.
Rice got the start and worked four strong innings, allowing just four baserunners and striking out eight - including two looking in the opening frame. Despite giving up a pair of hits in the first, he settled in quickly and kept Randolph off the scoreboard.
He also sparked the offense in the bottom of the first. After Carter Gansebom singled, Rice launched a two-run homer to give the Tigers an early 2-0 lead. Knox Koehler followed with a single to round out a productive first inning.
Osmond tacked on another run in the second when Braxton Stelling roped a triple and was driven in by Corbin Willard. The Tigers added their final run in the third when Axton Stech crossed the plate on an RBI single by Tripp Koehler.
Offensively, the Tigers were paced by multiple players on the night with seven players reaching base safely.
Tripp Koehler took over on the mound in the fifth, recording one strikeout in 2/3 of an inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jameson Koehler came in to slam the door, striking out the final Randolph batter on just four pitches to secure the shutout.
Big Fourth Inning Lifts Tigers Past Creighton “B”, 4–1
The Osmond 10U Tigers battled through a slow offensive start on Sunday, June 15, but came alive in the fourth inning to take down Creighton “B” by a score of 4-1 on the road.
Knox Koehler got the start on the mound and delivered another solid performance, striking out eight over three innings. Despite giving up a few base hits - including three in the third inning that allowed Creighton to plate the game's first run - Koehler kept the damage minimal and gave his team a chance to stay close.
Offensively, Osmond struggled to find early momentum. Carter Gansebom and Axyl Rice both reached base in the top of the first, but the Tigers were held scoreless through the first three innings.
That changed in a big way in the top of the fourth. Axyl Rice started the rally with a single, followed by a booming triple from Knox Koehler to tie the game. Axton Stech legged out an infield single to keep the pressure on, and Spencer Koehler delivered the big blow - a home run that drove in two more and gave the Tigers a 4-1 lead. The Tigers managed one additional hit from Braxton Stelling in the fifth but did not plate any additional runs.
Carter Gansebom took the mound in relief and shut the door over the final two innings. He allowed just one hit and struck out three, preserving the lead and sealing the win.
Rice’s Bat, Koehler’s Arm Power Tigers Past Wausa in Regular Season Finale
The Osmond 10U Tigers capped off their regular season with a 5-2 home victory over Wausa on Tuesday night, June 17, fueled by a dominant pitching performance and the hot bat of Axyl Rice.
Jameson Koehler took the mound for the Tigers and, despite giving up three hits in the top of the first that led to a 2-0 Wausa lead, quickly settled in. Koehler recorded two strikeouts in the opening frame, then found his rhythm, retiring the side in order in the second with three more strikeouts.
Osmond wasted no time responding. In the bottom of the first, Axyl Rice launched a solo home run to left, cutting the deficit to 2-1. In the second, Axton Stech was hit by a pitch and came around to score on a single from Spencer Koehler to tie the game at 2-2.
Koehler continued his strong outing with two more scoreless innings, finishing with seven strikeouts while allowing just two additional hits. Meanwhile, the Tigers' bats came alive again in the third. After Dillon Melcher was hit by a pitch, Josiah Heilbrun entered as a courtesy runner and advanced on a double by Braxton Stelling. Then, with two on, Rice struck again - crushing his second home run of the night, a three-run shot that gave Osmond a 5-2 lead.
In the final frame, Rice took over on the mound and closed the door. He allowed just one hit and struck out two to preserve the win and send the Tigers into the league tournament on a high note.
The Tigers finish the regular season a perfect 7-0 and will head to the league tournament in Neligh on Wednesday, June 25, with the tournament concluding on June 27th and 28th.
