Bellevue squeezes past Norwalk in key Lake win

BELLEVUE — Score any way you can. Bellevue managed only one hit Friday and it didn't even come in the inning when the Redmen scratched across their runs. Behind another masterful performance from Blake Sutherland, Bellevue made two runs in the fourth inning stand up in a massive 2-1 Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division win over Norwalk. "Like we told our kids, they should feel comfortable in any situation," Bellevue coach Andy Dennings said. "We have stared trouble in the face many times. We've been in a lot of different situations this year and found a way to come out on the better end lately. We've been through a lot and I think our kids believe in each other." The win improves the Redmen to 11-5 overall and 7-2 in league play. Perkins (14-6, 8-2) topped Clyde in nine innings, clinching no worse than a share of the league title. Bellevue has a chance to get a share itself Tuesday at Clyde (6-13, 2-7). "We started slow in the league," Dennings said. "That's been our M.O. these last couple years. To give yourself a chance to play for something at this point is pretty special. We've thrown four guys in league play and three of them are sophomores. We've got some kids back, but we've got a lot of kids that are first year on varsity." Wesley Shupe was dominant on the mound for the Truckers (11-5, 6-3), but some small miscues in the fourth inning allowed Bellevue to seize the opportunity. Sam Bollinger walked and stole second. After a flyout, he took third on ball 4 to Sam Cooper, who then stole second. Shupe got Logan Damron to strike out, but the third strike was dropped. The throw to first sailed into the outfield, scoring Bollinger. With Reid Claus at the plate, Damron intentionally got himself in a rundown between first and second. He lingered long enough to allow Cooper to break for home. The throw wasn't on point, giving Bellevue another run and the lead. "Wesley goes out there and competes every time we throw him out there," Norwalk coach Jason Higgins said. "He's gotten a lot better at throwing strikes. He got behind on a couple hitters and had to battle a little bit. Overall, we're proud of what he's been able to do this season. Coming off of a short rest, I thought he was pretty sharp." That was enough for Sutherland, who fell behind 1-0 when the Truckers scored in the top of the first inning. Sutherland gave up hits to the first two Norwalk hitters, but none the rest of the game. He retired the side in order four times, including a five-pitch seventh inning. "I thought he had some of his best stuff today," Dennings said of the sophomore. "He's thrown well all year, but as far as throwing three pitches, he had them all today. I thought he competed extremely well. He's come a long way. Blake is quieter kid and he's pitched outstanding. He competes his butt off." The Redmen got their lone hit of the game when Drew Dennings singled with two outs in the fifth. Bellevue had a couple chances early, getting a runner on third in the first and third innings. Shupe made big pitches each time to avoid damage. "Sutherland threw the ball well and he was mixing in pitches," Higgins said. "He had two or three pitches going that he could throw for a strike. He was efficient out there. It was a battle. Our guy threw well, too. It was one of those games that you knew early on that it was going to come down to a run or two." Norwalk was eliminated from league title contention with the loss, but has prepared itself for tough situations like this. The Truckers find out their Division III postseason fate Sunday. "We schedule hard," Higgins said. "I want to see good baseball, whether we win or lose. Those blowout wins don't do a whole lot for us. We try to get a competitive schedule. I think the Lake is definitely as competitive as anything around here." Bellevue faces Margaretta on Saturday morning and travels to Willard on Monday before the trip to Clyde on Tuesday. Bellevue beat the Fliers the first time, 4-0. Cooper Winke and Caden Lindsey combined on a no-hitter for the Redmen. "When I talked to Jason after the game, I felt like both guys were calling the same type of game with the pitchers," Dennings said. "I thought the Shupe kid threw really well. He had a lot of stuff working. He threw everything for a strike." Norwalk 100 000 0 — 1 2 3Bellevue 000 200 X — 2 1 2 WP: Sutherland. LP: Shupe