KALIDA, OH — The 2025 ACME Baseball State Tournament opened Saturday at Holy Name Ballpark with a marquee MAC vs. WBL quarterfinal between St. John’s and Defiance.

It was the Blue Jays who struck first, putting up a three-run first inning.

Drake Fittro roped an RBI double to right to score Brayden Klaus, and later Logan Duncan added another RBI double to give DSJ an early 3–0 lead.

After a rain delay interrupted play, Defiance stormed back in the second.

Brayden Weaver drove in a run to cut into the lead, and Drew Allegretti’s single to center brought home the tying run, making it 3–3.

But the Blue Jays had one more big swing in them.

Aiden Swick launched a two-run homer to left, briefly putting DSJ back in front, 5–3.

That lead didn’t last.

From there, it was all Defiance—as the Bulldogs scored 12 unanswered runs, including a multi-RBI performance from Xavier Rodriguez, to take full control.

Final score: Defiance 15, St. John’s 5.

The Bulldogs advance to the ACME state semifinal.

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