By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - The Bluffton golf team hosted the eight-team, annual Pirate Invitational at the Bluffton Golf Course Friday.

The Pirates and Lima Central Catholic tied for first place with 330 strokes apiece. But the Thunderbirds won the tiebreaker with a better fifth man score, 90-95.

Kenny Lovett led the Pirates and won the event by two strokes with an 18-hole score of 37-37=74. Owen Knapp of Upper Sandusky finished second with a 37-39=76.

Bluffton's Micah Minnig posted a solid score of 40-42=82 to finish in a tie for sixth place in the 40-player field. Pirate Wes Brauen carded a 40-47=87 total, while teammate Jaden Coonfare tied him with a score of 43-44=87 to finish in a 10th-place knot.

Pirate Jacob Boisvert carded a 45-50=95 total. Brady Koenig, fifth man for LCC, shot 46-44=90.

Upper Sandusky shot 367 to finish third, followed by Mohawk (374), Pandora-Gilboa (377), Leipsic (378), Van Buren (402) and McComb (436). 

The Pirates (13-2) competed in the Wauseon Invitational Monday, August 10. Others expected to participate at the Ironwood Golf Course in Hinckley near Wauseon include Miller City, Lincolnview, Anthony Wayne and Montpelier.     

Pirate Invite Team Scores
1) LCC 330 strokes
2) Bluffton 330
3) Upper Sandusky 367     
4) Mohawk 374    
5) Pandora-Gilboa 377    
6) Leipsic 378    
7) Van Buren 402    
8) McComb 436