By Cort Reynolds

Playing at home, the Bluffton High School baseball team was shut out 5-0 by Allen East in a Northwest Conference game Thursday evening, May 4.

The game was scoreless through five innings, but AE broke it open with two runs in the top of the sixth. The Mustangs then plated three more scores in the seventh to put the game out of reach.

The Pirates fell to 9-9 overall and 4-3 in the NWC with the defeat. The Mustangs improved to 6-6 overall and 3-3 in NWC play after the win.

Shortstop Quinn Eachus led the Bluffton offense with three singles and a stolen base. Braeden Jordan singled, and Daniel Fredritz added a hit. Luke Jebsen also singled for the other Pirate hit.

Mustang catcher Jackson Thompson doubled in two runs to pace the AE offense. Center fielder Jacob Hershberger singled, scored two runs and swiped two bases.

Right fielder Caden Hedrick singled home a run. 

Winning Mustang pitcher Braylen Kennedy singled, scored twice and drove in a run.

Kennedy hurled seven shutout innings to earn the win. He struck out four and walked two while scattering six hits. He threw strokes on 58 of his 91 pitches.

AE shortstop Carson Clum also walked twice.

Jaden Coonfare started and pitched 5 2/3 innings of three-hit baseball for the Pirates. He allowed two earned runs and struck out three while walking four. He threw strikes on 43 of his 83 pitches.

Tyler Cupples relieved him and recorded the last four outs. He gave up one hit and three unearned runs.

The Pirates out-hit AE, 6-5. Bluffton left eight runners on base, while AE stranded six. 

The Pirates made three errors compared to one miscue by AE. 

Bluffton is slated to host non-league foe Riverdale (14-3) Friday, then welcomes Pandora-Gilboa (4-13) for a doubleheader Saturday.

The Pirates then play at Columbus Grove (16-4, 4-2 NWC) Tuesday, May 9 in the NWC finale.

AE plays at Spencerville (2-15, 2-5 NWC) Friday, then visits Ottawa-Glandorf (7-10) Saturday.

123 456 7 R H E

AE 000 002 3 5 5 1

Blf 000 000 0 0 6 3

WP-B. Kennedy LP-Coonfare

2B-Thompson (AE)