By: Elliot Schneider
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
ARCHBOLD (May 3, 2025) – The Archbold Bluestreaks secured a solid win against the Genoa Comets in a non-league matchup on Saturday afternoon.
The Bluestreaks rallied behind a strong pitching performance from Ethan Bowman, who gave up three hits and no earned runs in six innings pitched.
The first inning saw the Comets’ first three batters retired, as Archbold’s Bowman recorded two strikeouts in the inning.
The Bluestreaks had an opportunity to get on the board early, as Anderson Bentley and Collin Short reached base, putting a runner in scoring position early, with only one out.
CJ Arroyo-Thompson followed with a fly out to center, giving Bentley an opportunity to tag up to third.
With two outs, and a runner on first and third, Zach Short grounded out to second, leaving the runners stranded and the Blue Streaks scoreless in the game.
The second inning wasn’t much better for the Comets, as Jaxon Magnone was the only batter to reach base and that was on an error. Bowman recorded two more strikeouts in the inning, securing four Ks through two innings, establishing his dominance early in the game.
The Bluestreaks second inning went three up and three down, with Genoa’s Hunter Reed picking up his first strikeout in the inning.
The Comets secured their first hit of the game in the top of the third, when Noah Suckle led off with a single on a line drive to center. Aiden St. John followed by grounding into a 4-6-3 double play, giving the Comets two outs in the inning.
Alex Spencer then walked, giving Genoa a runner on first with two outs, but Vince Pasty lined out to right, ending the inning for the Comets.
The Bluestreaks third inning started with a single from Sean Garcia, putting a runner on first after the first at bat of the inning. Bentley followed with a single of his own, immediately giving the Bluestreaks an opportunity with a runner in scoring position.
With one out, Collin Short ripped an RBI single down the line in left, plating Garcia. Short and Bentley both advanced on the throw, putting runners on second and third.
Arroyo-Thompson then grounded out to second, which brought Bentley home, bringing the Bluestreaks lead to 2-0. Zach Short then lined out to first, ending the inning for Archbold.
Genoa’s fourth inning started with the first batter of the inning reaching base on an error by Archbold’s Isaiahs Gracia. Evan Millner followed by bunting into a fielder’s choice, which was clearly designed to advance the runner on first, but did not work out.
With two outs, Magnone singled on a line drive to left, putting runners on first and second for the Comets.
Instead of capitalizing on a runner in scoring position, Genoa’s Isaac Ewersen popped out to the shortstop, ending the inning for the Comets. The bottom of the fourth started well for the Bluestreaks, as Wyatt Cline led off with a double to left, immediately giving Archbold a runner in scoring position.
Bowman followed with a single to shallow left, putting a runner on first and third with zero outs for the Bluestreaks. Jace Castillo then grounded out to second, plating Cline while also helping Bowman advance to second.
Garcia and Bentley followed by each hitting a groundout of their own, ending the inning with the Bluestreaks leading 3-0. The fifth inning for the Comets started with a lead-off single by Suckle, hoping to provide some life for Genoa.
St. John then laid down a sacrifice bunt, putting Suckle on second with one out for the Comets. Then Genoa’s next two batters both popped out, leaving the runner stranded and the Comets scoreless in the game.
Archbold’s fifth inning started with a lead-off single from Tripp Langenderfer, giving the Bluestreaks an opportunity to extend the lead.
With one out, Arroyo-Thompson hit a hard grounder to third, but due to an error he reached base. Both runners then advanced on a passed ball, putting runners on second and third with one out for the Bluestreaks.
Broden Piercefield followed by reaching base on an error by Genoa’s Spencer, which allowed both Langenderfer and Arroyo-Thompson to cross home plate, bringing Archbold’s lead to 5-0 by the innings end.
Genoa’s sixth inning didn’t produce much offense, as the only batter to reach base in the inning was Elijah Welling, who was walked.
In the bottom of the sixth, Archbold added to their lead with two outs recorded in the inning.
Bentley reached base on a single, then stole second on the first pitch of the next at bat. Langenderfer followed with an infield single to third, where he outran the throw.
Bentley scored on the throw all the way from second on the play, making the score 6-0 by the end of the inning.
The top of the seventh is when Genoa finally found some life on offense, looking to mount a comeback.
With two singles to lead off the inning, followed by Ewersen reaching base on an error, the bases were quickly loaded with only one out for the Comets.
Spencer followed by grounding out, but plated Ewersen and advanced the other runners as well, bringing in the first run for Genoa.
Pasty was then walked, which loaded the bases again for the Comets. Welling then hit a single to right, bringing home Suckle.
Welling was then walked, bringing in a third run for the Comets, making the score 6-3 with two outs in the top of the seventh.
Archbold decided to bring in their ace, Zach Short, to secure the final out for the Bluestreaks. He did just that by striking out Toby Karl to end the game, securing the win for the Bluestreaks.
With the win, Archbold will look to extend their four-game winning streak on Monday as they play Delta. Genoa will look to bounce back against Otsego on Monday.
GHS 0000003 – 3 6 3
AHS 002121X – 6 10 3
Records: GHS 5-9, AHS 10-5
WINNING PITCHER: Bowman (6 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 6 strikeouts, 2 walks) Other: Z. Short, Cline
LOSING PITCHER: Reed (4 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 strikeouts, 0 walks)
LEADING HITTERS: (Genoa) Welling – single, RBI; Magnone – 2 singles; Suckle – 2 singles (Archbold) Langenderfer – 2 singles, RBI; C. Short – 3 singles, 1 RBI; Piercefield – 2 RBIs; Cline – double; Bentley – 2 singles, 2 runs