It may have been the season opener, but Bellefontaine senior left-hander Zach Mosbarger looked in mid-season form on the mound Monday afternoon.

Mosbarger fired a five-inning no-hitter Monday as the host Chieftains blanked Riverside 13-0 in a non-league baseball game at Blue Jacket Park.

Bellefontaine’s Zach Mosbarger threw a five-inning no-hitter against the Pirates. Mosbarger struck out five and walked one.

Bellefontaine’s Mark Duffy dives back to first on a pickoff attempt as Riverside’s Kyle Herron waits for the ball during Monday’s game at Blue Jacket Park in Bellefontaine. EXAMINER PHOTOS | MATT HAMMOND

Mosbarger was stellar from the start. He finished with five strikeouts and just one walk.

“Mosbarger is a good pitcher,” said Riverside head coach Rob Kilgore. “I thought we did a pretty good job of putting the ball in play, but Bellefontaine’s defense made the plays that were presented to them and that was the difference. They made the plays and we didn’t.”

Bellefontaine set the tone with five runs in the first inning and the Chiefs never looked back. Offensively, the Chiefs tallied eight hits and also took advantage of three Riverside errors.

“We gave up nine walks and we had too many errors,” said Kilgore. “It’s hard to win games when you are giving up a lot of walks and making that many mistakes defensively.”

T.J. Garman powered the Bellefontaine offense, going 3-4 with two triples and an RBI. Brock Mitchell had a big day as well. Mitchell went 2-3 with a three-run home run.

Also for the Chiefs, Jace Mills belted a solo home run, Brandon Winter had two RBI and Josh Kauffman and Mark Duffy each added an RBI.

“I feel we have pretty good balance throughout the order,” said Brunswick. “When someone goes down, we have someone that can pick them up.”

Kilgore said he hopes Monday’s game can be a learning experience for his squad.

“I wanted to play Bellefontaine because they are a first-class program,” said the Pirates’ coach. “I wanted our guys to see a team that plays the game the right way. Our goal is to become a program like that down the line.”

Both teams are back in action today. Bellefontaine hosts Dayton Northridge and Riverside is at home against Bradford.

BELLEFONTAINE 13, RIVERSIDE 0 (FIVE INNINGS)
Pirates 000 00 — 0 0 3
Chiefs 534 1X — 13 8 1
Smith, Seeling (3) and Ehresmann; Mosbarger and Skelly. WP—Mosbarger; LP—Smith.