Mike Macke
WZBD.com
The Bluffton Tigers defeated the South Adams Starfires on a warm and windy Thursday 4 – 1, in a game heard live on 92.7 FM WZBD. Braxton Betancourt pitched a gem for the Tigers as he struck out 13 batters, walked three and allowed just two hits in six innings to get the win. A.J. Streveler came in and struck out three Starfires in the seventh to earn the save. Owen Wanner was stellar for South Adams as he went the distance striking out thirteen Tigers, allowing four hits and walking just one.
Bluffton scored first when Drew Pressler singled to right to open the second inning. He stole second and went to third on a groundout. He then scored on a single to right by Streveler. In the fourth, Betancourt struck out swinging at a low inside pitch that got past the catcher allowing him to reach first. He later scored on a groundout by Streveler to give the Tigers a 2 – 0 lead.
South Adams scored their lone run in the fourth. Kyle Minger laid down a bunt and reached first on a throwing error to start the rally. Caleb Hirschfield then punched a bunt over the head of the pitcher. Andrew Onuegbu’s throw to first was wide and both runners advanced giving the Starfires runners at second and third with nobody out. Betancourt struck out the next two batters but walked Brady Beall to load them up. Corey Lenington then drew the RBI base on balls to score Minger. River Toledo grounded out to first to end the inning.
Bluffton’s final two runs came in the sixth on a single and a walk by Lewis and Streveler to get two on. A fielder’s choice moved them to second and third and they scored on a grounder by Kayden King that went through the third baseman for an error. On the play, King tried to take second and was thrown out to end the inning.
South Adams falls to 5 – 6 on the season with the loss. Their next game is Friday at Coldwater, OH.