Rain suspends key Norwalk-Bellevue baseball matchup

NORWALK — A fast-moving thunderstorm suspended the big Norwalk-Bellevue Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division baseball game Wednesday at NHS. The Truckers (8-5, 2-1) were leading visiting Bellevue (7-2, 3-0) by a 2-0 score with one pitch thrown to start the bottom of the fifth inning when the game was stopped. Norwalk scored both runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth against the Redmen, who entered the week ranked No. 7 in the latest Division IV state coaches poll. Grady Naseman walked, and Noah Helton singled to lead off the inning. After two outs, Wesley Shupe then singled to right field to score Helton, and Landon Ferkel followed with a single to center to plate Brady Singer, who reached on a fielder's choice. Ferkel had two hits in the game, while Kaedyn Warner and Caiden Wilson also had base hits. On the mound, Carter Harp had allowed just one hit in five scoreless innings. He struck out four with no walks and had thrown 63 pitches (40 strikes). After losing 3-1 when host Div. IV No. 9 Perkins (6-2, 3-0) scored with three runs in the bottom of the sixth April 17, the Truckers were looking to give Bellevue its first league loss. The Pirates lead the Redmen, 3-0, in the top of the seventh inning of a Lake game that was also suspended April 16. Norwalk is scheduled to host Marion Harding in non-league play Thursday, then entertain Sandusky at 4:45 p.m. Friday for another league game. The Truckers won at Sandusky, 10-0, on April 8. Bellevue hosts Route 20 rival Clyde on Friday before facing Wauseon at home Saturday. No date has been set to resume Wednesday's suspended game. The Truckers are scheduled to host Perkins on May 6 and visit Bellevue on May 8 in their other two head-to-head games with the current Lake leaders.