By Cort Reynolds
DELPHOS - Bluffton junior pitcher/slugger Libby Schaadt was voted Northwest Conference Player of the Year in voting conducted by the league coaches Monday night in Delphos.

Schaadt led the Pirates to a 20-2 record with a sparkling 18-2 mark of her own on the rubber. Both of Schaadt's and Bluffton's losses came to Carey, including in the district semifinals.

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Schaadt edged out senior teammate Averey Rumer in a close vote for league POY honors. Crestview junior Alexis Gregory finished third in the balloting.

Schaadt finished the season with a league-leading total of 177 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched. Her earned run average was 1.80. At the plate, Schaadt also was a powerhouse as she hit for a .477 average with seven home runs.

Rumer and senior teammate Katie Prater were also voted first team All-NWC as the Pirates dominated the league in 2019.

Rumer and Schaadt repeated as first team All-NWC selections, while Rumer earned her third first team nod. Prater was also a second team all-league pick in 2017 and 2018.

Pirate junior Brinkley Garmatter was voted second team all-league. Freshman Riley Busch was named honorable mention all-conference.

Bluffton coach Tony Rumer was a unanimous selection for NWC Coach of the Year in voting by his peers. Rumer guided the Pirates to their first-ever NWC title outright with a perfect 8-0 record in 2019.

Crestview came in second (7-1), followed by Paulding (6-2), Allen East (5-3), Lincolnview (4-4), Columbus Grove (2-6), Delphos Jefferson (1-7), Ada (1-7) and winless Spencerville (0-8).

Final Northwest Conference Standings (league games only):

               1.  Bluffton                           8-0

               2.  Crestview                        7-1

               3.  Paulding                          6-2

               4.  Allen East                       5-3

               5.  Lincolnview                   4-4

               6.  Columbus Grove            3-5

               7.  Delphos Jefferson          2-6

               8.  Ada                                  1-7

               9.  Spencerville                    0-8