AvajKepler Photography

Last night I wrote about why community baseball still matters, and 2 of the most respected coaches in the state told me tonight they shared it with everyone they know. Then Fairview’s fire department escorted the champs home and they’re still going. @AcmeCongress ACME baseball

FAIRVIEW WINS IT. Calvin Kepler’s three-run walk-off double in the bottom of the 7th gives the Apaches their first ACME state championship, 4-3 over defending champ St. Henry. Down to their last three outs and they took it all. Final: Fairview 4, St. Henry 3. ACME State Championship

One out and Fairview has the bases loaded. Calvin Kepler stepping in the bottom of the 7th of the ACME state championship. Our intern Ava Kepler, his sister, told me just yesterday that whenever there’s a big situation on the line, Calvin’s always there.

Travel ball is a runaway train. We are never going to compete schedule-wise with it. But what we can do is put on a really great State Tournament every summer, for ACME baseball. @AcmeCongress Know what you are, do it well, and let the experience speak. open.substack.com/pub/beccawenni…

What I noticed this weekend: the little kids watch the older kids like they’re heroes. The parents feel every pitch. The grandparents are grateful to be there. Where you are in life changes what you see at a ballpark. My job is making it worth it for all of them. @AcmeCongress

The amazing photos you’re seeing this week are from our intern @AvajKepler AND Fairview just brought her brother Calvin Kepler into pitch in the 5th. He gets the next two batters to pop out. Fairview leads 1-0 going to the bottom of 5.

Top 7, last chance for Archbold. Down one with the heart of the order due up: Gracia, Forward, and Verhoff, who have combined for 5 of their 7 hits. Krieger struck out the side’s last man to keep it a one run game. St. Henry 5, Archbold 4. ACME State Tournament, Kalida 📸 @AvajKepler

End 5: St. Henry 5, Archbold 4. Down 4-0 after three, the defending ACME state champs just hung a three spot to take the lead. Boeckman’s RBI single started it, then Laguire and Schwartz brought home two more. This team has made a habit of not going away. ACME State Tournament, Kalida 2026 📸 @AvajKepler

Final: Fairview 10, Ottawa-Glandorf 6. Down 5-2, the Apaches hung five in the 6th. They Picked Me went to Anthony Singer (Jr), who got intentionally walked with the game on the line, then doubled in two the next time up. His dad Andy went into the ACME Hall of Fame today. Some night. @apachebaseball7

Anthony Singer (Jr) doubled in two, then got cut down at the plate trying to stretch the inning even further. That’s how Fairview has played all night, foot on the gas, and it’s why they lead 10-6. What an inning in Kalida. Ottawa-Glandorf 6, Fairview 10 ACME State Tournament, Kalida

Look at the kids on the fence. That’s what it looks like when Shady Fritch (Jr) in LF steals a home run from Jordan Schumaker (Jr). The box score calls it a fly out. Nobody watching will ever call it that. But the kids in right field love it! Ottawa-Glandorf 0, Fairview 1, Top 3 ACME State Tournament, Kalida @Fairview @AvajKepler

Do not count out the champs. St. Henry hung four runs in the top of the 6th and they’re still batting. Drew Langenkamp (Sr) worked a big walk in the rally and Drew Buschur (Jr) cleared the bases with a double. This game has completely flipped. St. Henry 4, Bellefontaine 3, Top 6 ACME State Tournament, Kalida @AvajKepler

They Picked Me. Isaiahs Gracia (Sr) wore the shirt, but it took all of Archbold to earn it: clutch defense behind him, timely hits, and Grayson Forward (Jr) finishing what he started. One town, one team, one win. ACME State Tournament @ArchboldBasebal tourney.acmebaseball.com/acme/state

ACME State Tournament. It’s hot but this is so fun! @AcmeCongress

Isaiahs Gracia (Sr) through 5: 10 strikeouts, 3 hits, no runs. He’s been sitting 82 to 86 all afternoon and Perrysburg hasn’t solved him yet. End 5: Archbold 1, Perrysburg 0 ACME State Tournament, Kalida @ArchboldBasebal

Through 3 innings, Isaiahs Gracia (Sr) has struck out 7 of the 13 batters he’s faced. Two hits, no runs, and Perrysburg is still looking for answers. Mid 3: Archbold 1, Perrysburg 0 ACME State Tournament, Kalida @ArchboldBasebal 📸 Ava Kepler

Scenes from the Jr ACME state tournament @AcmeCongress ⬇️Link to the pictures avajkeplerphotography.pixieset.com/jracmeday1/

Perrysburg 13 St. Henry 8 After 6 complete Jr. ACME State Tournament Final 2026

OMG! We are tied 8-8

After 4 innings complete Perrysburg leads St. Henry 7-0 in the Jr. ACME State final.