Sudhoff throws no-hitter for Cavs

COLDWATER - Two straight starts, two straight gems for Luke Sudhoff.

A week after winning a 1-0 one-hitter over Fort Loramie, the Coldwater sophomore went one better in pitching a no-hitter as the Cavaliers improved to 2-0 in Midwest Athletic Conference baseball action with an 11-1 win over Marion Local in five innings at Veterans Field.

Efficiency was Sudhoff's friend, as he needed just 61 pitches to pick up the victory. Sudhoff had a seven-pitch inning and a nine-pitch inning to help him finish with five strikeouts and two walks.

"He's been pretty efficient," said Coldwater coach Brian Harlamert. "First beating Fort Loramie, then coming here with a no-hitter. Credit to him and the whole team."

"Our offense has struggled the last four games," said Marion coach Mitch Hays. "Not really sure why. We'll go back to the drawing board."

The Cavaliers got their offense rolling right away, opening with four straight hits that produced three runs. Reece Dellinger doubled home two runs and Blake Siefring added an RBI single to make it 3-0. Coldwater got at least its first two batters on base in each of the first four innings and plated at least one run each inning.

The Cavaliers added a run in the second and plated two more in the third before adding another three in the fourth as Adam Hrycko had an RBI single and then Alex C. Knapke had a two-run single to make it 9-1.

In the fifth, Gabe Link got the first batter out for the only time of the game, but then allowed Myles Blasingame to reach on an error and Dellinger to reach on a walk. A bloop single into no-man's land by Siefring loaded the bases for Sudhoff, who helped his own cause with a single down the third-base line to score the game-ending two runs.

"Just been a tough stretch," said Hays. "We're short on pitching and this is the 12th game of the season."

The lone Flyer run came in the fourth as Link drew a one-out walk. Zach Bruggeman lofted a fly to center that was dropped, allowing Link to reach third. Braden Topp grounded into a fielder's choice to allow Link to score before Jake Topp flew out to left to end the inning.

Coldwater's Alex C. Knapke - as opposed to Marion's Alex M. Knapke - went 2-for-2 with four RBI to lead Coldwater.

Both teams return to MAC play on Thursday. Coldwater makes the five-mile trek south to face St. Henry in the Backyard Battle while Marion Local lands back at the Airport to host Versailles.