By Cort Reynolds

COLDWATER __ Top-seeded Coldwater knocked the visiting Bluffton baseball team out of Div. III sectional finals Friday by an 11-1 score.

The hosts scored two times in the bottom of the first frame to grab an early lead. Bluffton plated its lone run in the top of the third to pull within 2-1. 

But a six-run Cavalier third inning gave the hosts an 8-1 cushion. 

Coldwater added a run in the fourth and they tacked on two more in the sixth to invoke the 10-run mercy rule.

The Pirates ended their season 10-11 after the loss. The Cavaliers (22-5) advanced to the district semifinals at Elida vs. Fort Recovery (10-11) May 20 with the sectional title victory.

CONTINUES

Fort Recovery beat Waynesfield 5-2, and then upset Crestview 2-1 to win their sectional.

Coldwater out-hit Bluffton Friday, 8-3.

Junior shortstop Quinn Eachus singled and scored the Pirate run. 

Junior center fielder Landen Worcester singled. Senior third baseman Gavin Butler contributed a single and a walk. 

Junior left fielder Luke Jebsen drove in the Bluffton run.  

Junior shortstop Baylen Blockberger hit a three-run double and scored twice for the Cavs. 

Junior right fielder Cody Depweg smacked a double, singled and drove in five runs. Senior second baseman Braylen Harlamert legged out a triple, singled and scored two runs.

Junior hurler Mason Welsch tossed a six-inning complete game to earn the win. He struck out two, walked a pair and allowed one earned run.

Senior Garret Bogart started and took the pitching loss, being relieved in the six-run third inning outburst. Four Pirate pitchers issued 10 walks and allowed eight earned runs on eight hits.

Bluffton left four runners on base, while Coldwater stranded six. 

The Cavs committed no errors, while Bluffton made one miscue.

It was the last Pirate game for seniors Bogart, Kerry Wright, Braeden Jordan, Tyer Cupples, Butler and Jacob Granger.

123 456 7 R H E

Blf 001 000 x 1 3 1

Cwtr 206 102 x 11 8 0

WP-Welsch LP-Bogart

2B-Depweg (C ), Blockberger (C )

3B-Harlamaert (C )