Bluffton’s Braxton Betancourt and Norwell’s Cade Shelton both pitched shutouts and picked up three hits at the plate to lead their baseball teams to victory on Monday.
Betancourt pitched a five-inning shutout and went 3-for-3 at the plate to lift the Bluffton Tigers to a 14-0 victory on their home field over Wes-Del.
Betancourt allowed just two hits all day while striking out 13 and walking none on the mound. At the plate, the sophomore hit a home run and two singles, scored twice, and drove in three runs to help the Tigers win early by the 10-run rule.
As a team, the Tigers (2-1) had 11 hits, including three home runs. Dylan King went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs. Drew Pressler went 2-for-2 with three runs. Kyler Rolston went 1-for-1 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs.
Shelton – also a sophomore – pitched a five-inning no-hitter to lead Norwell to a 19-0 victory at Marion.
Shelton’s outing was nearly perfect as he allowed no hits or walks all game while striking out 14. The only time the Giants got a man on base was when Shelton hit a batter in the second inning.
The Knights (2-2) got off to a hot start with nine runs in the first inning. They added eight more in the third and two in the fifth to win by the 10-run rule.
At the plate, Norwell combined for 15 hits. Shelton went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and a run. Trey Bodenheimer went 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBIs, and a run. Luke Graft and Kline Neuenschwander each added two hits as well.
On the mound, Shelton allowed not hits and walked no batters while striking out 14 Giants.
Both Bluffton and Norwell return to the diamond on Tuesday. The Tigers will head to Manchester while the Knights will host Mississinewa.
In other local sports:
RAIDERS SOFTBALL TOPS LAKEWOOD PARK CHRISTIAN
Southern Wells’ softball team won 17-10 at Lakewood Park Christian on Monday. It was the Raiders’ first game of the season and the first career win for new head coach Jason Riley.
Riley Tappy pitched a complete game on the mound for Southern Wells and hit a two-run home run at the plate.
As a team, Southern Wells totaled 14 hits at the plate.
The Raiders will travel to Whitko for their next game on Tuesday.
TIGER GOLFERS DEFEAT ADAMS CENTRAL
Bluffton’s boys’ golf team kicked its season off with a 182-201 victory over Adams Central on Monday at Wabash Valley Golf Club.
The Tigers were led by Ephraim Frauhiger, who shot a 43 to finish as the medalist of the match. Keegan Schwartz finished close behind, shooting a 44.
Following them on Bluffton were Kade Abbett at 46, Connor Klopfenstein at 49, and Alec Reiff at 52.
Keaton Rush shot a 44 for Adams Central’s best score.
Bluffton’s JV fell 226-234. Draven Dull shot a 49 to lead the Tigers, followed by Ethan Hunt at 58, Anthony Hartman at 61, Kyler Potter at 62, and Logan Shearrer at 66, Logan Reifsteck at 67, Hudson Werich at 68, and Chase Gibson at 69.
Bluffton’s next match will be on Thursday at home against Blackford and Marion.
BLUFFTON SOFTBALL FALLS AT OAK HILL
Bluffton’s softball team lost 10-0 at Oak Hill on Monday in a five-inning game.
The Lady Tigers (0-2) trailed 3-0 after one inning. Oak Hill added one more run in the third, three in the fourth, and three in the fifth to complete the win by the 10-run rule.
Bluffton had just four hits in the game, which were all singles. Tressa Renner, Marly Drayer, Averi Petty, and Lily King each contributed one.
Petty also suffered the loss on the mound, pitching 4 2/3 innings, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) on 13 hits, and walking eight.
Bluffton will return to action on Wednesday at home against Wayne.
RAIDERS BASEBALL LOSES TO MISSISSINEWA
Southern Wells’ baseball team lost 17-0 in five innings by the 10-run rule in Monday’s home game against Mississinewa.
The Raiders (0-2) were not able to come up with a single hit at the plate. Meanwhile, the visiting Indians came up with 13 and had a big seven-run third inning and five-run fifth inning.
Owen Vickrey was charged with the loss on the mound, allowing five runs on six hits in two innings of work while striking out three and walking one.
Jenson Nusbaumer, Branson Rheinhart, AJ Wright, and Wyatt Yoder combined to finish the game in relief.
The Raiders will take the field again on Wednesday when they host Eastbrook.
NORWELL JV SOFTBALL TOPS CARROLL
Norwell’s JV softball team won 7-6 against Carroll on Monday.
The Lady Knights trailed 4-2 after five innings, but scored five runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead. Carroll managed just two runs in the sixth and could not complete a comeback.
Teagan Lesley led Norwell at the plate with two of the team’s five hits. She also drove in two runs.
Kaydance Clark, Haley Green, and Nevada Lenwell each added hits as well.
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