Buscher no-hits, hits Tuscumbia hard in New Bloomfield win

Lucas Buscher had himself a Friday to remember.

The New Bloomfield senior was a home run shy of the cycle, driving in three runs in the Wildcats' 10-0 six-inning win against Tuscumbia, and pitched six no-hit innings, giving up six walks but striking out 10.

Buscher's lone hitless at-bat produced an RBI in the first inning when he grounded out to score senior Trevor Jordan following his triple to give New Bloomfield (8-5) a 1-0 lead.

He pitched into hot water in the second, dishing out three walks to start the frame and having four walks in the first two innings. The Lions struck out in the next two batters and run themselves out of the inning by attempting to steal home.

Buscher cruised from that point on as he struck out eight of the next 10 batters he faced. He could also coast into home after senior Ashton Schuster drove him and senior Michael Saleny in after Buscher stole third. Schuster went 2-for-3 with four RBI to pace the offense.

New Bloomfield carried a 5-0 lead into the fifth inning, where Buscher scored a leadoff walk with a triple before he was allowed to stroll home again along with Saleny on a Schuster double to make it 8-0.

In the ninth inning with the Wildcats leading 9-0, Buscher fittingly had the final hit on a double to trigger the run-rule with no outs and a runner on third.

New Bloomfield will wrap up its fall season with a road game at 5 p.m. today at Calvary Lutheran (0-8).