Jay Co. downs Tigers (09/09/05)

BLUFFTON — So much for the last decade.

When Jay County’s boys tennis team defeated Norwell earlier in the year it marked the first victory against the Knights since 1995. The Patriots handed the same fate to another Wells County school Thursday night, defeating the Bluffton Tigers for the first time since ’95, 3-2.

Senior Kurtis Hess pulled out Jay County’s second straight 3-2 victory — it defeated South Adams by the same tally Wednesday — as he survived a marathon against Jacob Castilow. He improved to 10-2 on the season despite stumbling in the second set, winning the No. 1 singles match 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

Fellow seniors Tyler Rigby and Randy Evans pushed their season mark to 10-2 at No. 1 doubles as well. They fought off Zack Anderson and Clint Baumgartner in the first set and then rolled in the second for a 6-4, 6-2 victory.

Heath Rigby and Thomas McCowan, who did not play together in the match against South Adams, reunited Thursday for the other victory for the Patriots (6-1). They cruised past Blane Baumgartner and Jon Dauterman 6-1, 6-2.

Bluffton took the No. 2 and 3 singles matches, giving up just three games in each.

Jay County’s Josh Ludy dropped 6-2, 6-1 to Andrian Larrea at the No. 2 spot, and Phil Powell fell 6-1, 6-2 to Nathan Baker at No. 3.

The Patriots went 3-1 in junior varsity matches, winning all three singles contests.

Adam Horn just missed a shutout, defeating Drew Neuenschwander 8-1 at No. 2 singles. Jason Crouch topped Lorenzo Gratton 8-3 at No. 1 singles, and James Heare beat Trent Scott 8-4 at No. 3 singles.

Crouch and Heare teamed in doubles action, losing 8-3 to Gary Green and Matthew Gerber.[[In-content Ad]]