CONVOY - It was all worth the wait.

Delphos Jefferson finally kicked off its tournament run with a convincing 10-0 six-inning victory over Ottoville in the Division IV baseball sectional championship game Friday at Crestview.

Delphos Jefferson right-hander Mike Rahrig (5-1) tossed a complete-game five-hitter. He struck out five and walked two.

It also marked step one for the Wildcats in their drive to get at least as far as last year when they reached the regional championship game.

"We feel like we spent half the season waiting around, whether it's due to rain and everything else," Delphos Jefferson coach Troy Montenery said. "It's been a waiting type of year and the wait is finally over. The tournament is here."

Rahrig pounded the strike zone with his fastball and plenty of breaking balls, especially in the middle innings. He threw 78 pitches, 55 for strikes, as he was continually ahead in the count.

"Right out of the gate he was on his game today," Montenery said. "Just by the look on his face, it was a look of determination. He did a decent job of working ahead of the hitters."

Rahrig said, "We're focused on this tournament run. We're having fun out here and we want to see how far we can go. ... The scouting report said the breaking ball would work against them and I wanted a lot of groundballs. I trust my fielders and know they have my back no matter what."

Delphos Jefferson (13-4) advances to the district semifinals to meet New Knoxville at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday at Coldwater. Ottoville is 6-9.

Ottoville starter Jordan Schimmoeller had given up only two hits through the first five innings. But walks and hit batters caused him problems. He ended up with seven strikeouts, six walks and two hit batters.

"I think what hurt us at the beginning of the game is we gave up six walks and hit two guys. That was the game," Ottoville coach Tony Castronova said.

In the second inning, Jefferson's Ryan Kortokrax walked and Aaron Schuerman was hit with a pitch. After a passed ball, Matt Gerdeman's RBI groundout to second gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.

Taylor Hesseling's RBI single to center made it 2-0.

In the home third, Schimmoeller walked two. Schuerman jumped on the first pitch and launched a three-run home run over the left-field fence to make it 5-0.

"Every starter on the team had a home run, but Aaron," Montenery said. "So his comment to me when he rounded third was, ‘It's about time.' ''

Delphos Jefferson finished it off with a five-run sixth inning. Kortokrax ended it with a three-run double to push the final score to 10-0.