GENOA — Otsego fell to Maumee, 6-5, in the Division II district championship at Genoa High School Saturday.
The Knights took a 3-0 lead after two innings, but the Panthers bounced back with three runs in the top of the fourth and three more in the fifth. The Knights got two runs in the fifth but could not regain the lead.
In both the sixth and seventh innings, Otsego had the tying run on base, but could not get the run in.
With one out in the sixth, sophomore Riley Rowe singled on a grounder that got through the left side of the infield, but she was stranded after a fly out and pop out.
In the seventh, freshman Cailyn Rider reached on a walk with two outs, and freshman Mackenzie Shirkey came in to run, then freshman Janelle Brooks hit a fly to right field, which was caught by Skyler James to end the game.
Rowe had a productive day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run, double and RBI. Junior Evelyn Rider was 2-for-3 with an RBI, sophomore Riley Miller had a double and senior Alexis Etchie had a base hit.
In the circle, Rowe struck out five, walked one, and allowed seven hits and six runs, but only three were earned.
The Panthers had two home runs, one each by senior Danielle Schriner and junior Lilly Duling. Schriner had three RBIs.
Duling was 2-for-3 and scored two runs, senior Autumn Miller was 2-for-3 and scored twice, and freshman Autumn Grugger and senior Haley Hughes had base hits.
In the circle, freshman Hannah Ruiz struck out nine, walked four, allowed six hits and only one of five runs scored by the Knights were charged against her. The game saw six errors — three by each team.
Maumee advances to the regional semifinals at New Reigel High School on Wednesday to face Ontario.
Otsego hosts Elmwood on Monday, and the winner of that game will share the Northern Buckeye Conference title if Genoa can defeat Eastwood on Monday.
