By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Bluffton Braves improved to 13-2 in the region and 10-2 in the Hi-10 with a pair of wins over Vergas on Sunday afternoon.

In the opening game of the night Justin Dykhoff struck out six hitters and gave up just three hits on his way to a 10-0 win over the Vergas Loons. In the nightcap, Kurt Mursu had a no-hitter through four innings and gave up just one walk through that span on his way to a 15-2 win over Vergas. Mursu ended up surrendering three hits and a pair of runs on a two-run home run in the fifth inning to complete the two game sweep. 

In the opening game of the night, the Braves scored one run in the top of the first inning and broke the game wide open in the third with seven runs on five hits and a pair of walks. They added three more runs in the fourth inning to come away with a 10-0 win over the Loons. 

Payton Rondestvedt, Connor Davis and Logan Pulju led the way offensively with two hits piece, while both of Rondestvedts hits were doubles. 

In the nightcap, Mursu was just about perfect on the mound through four innings as the Braves came away with a commanding 15-2 win over the Loons. In all, Mursu gave up just three hits and walked just one batter, while striking out four. 

The Braves wasted little time in jumping on the Loons in the second game as they scored three runs in the first inning, four in the second, two in the third, three in the fourth and five in the fifth inning.

Seven of the nine starters picked up at least two hits in the win as Josh Dykhoff went 2-4 with a double and home run, while Davis picked up a pair of doubles. Justin Dykhoff led the way offensively with three hits in the win. 

Isaac Hamann and Rondestvedt each scored three runs apiece, while Josh Dykhoff, Justin Dykhoff and Davis each scored two runs. 

With just one week left in the regular season the Braves will travel to Deer Creek on Wednesday night, before hitting the road once again on Sunday as they travel to Midway. 

Bluffton is currently leading both the region and Hi-10 with a region record of 13-2 and Hi-10 record of 10-2. The Shockers are in second place, while New York Mills is 11-4 in the region and 8-3 in the Hi-10. Perham is 10-6 in the region and 10-3 in the Hi-10, while Clarissa is 7-9 in the region and 6-7 in the H-10. Henning is 3-12 in the region and 2-10 in the Hi-10, while Vergas is 1-10-1 in the region and 1-7-1 in the Hi-10 and Dent is 1-10-1 in the region and 0-8-1 in the Hi-10. 

Region 14C playoffs will be held July 26-28, Aug. 2-4 and Aug. 9-10.