Fatima put together its most complete performance of the season on March 26, combining timely hitting with dominant pitching in an 11-0 victory over Fulton.

Blake Kliethermes was in complete control, tossing a five-inning no-hitter while allowing no runs, with one walk and eight strikeouts. He faced 17 batters and threw 76 pitches in the effort.

Offensively, Fatima struck early and never let up.

Kliethermes (1-1, 3 RBI) helped spark the early scoring in the first inning with a single down the left-field line, and Jackson Crede (3-3, 3 RBI, 2B) followed with a double to left to bring in another run for a 2-0 lead.

Fatima added two more in the second. Kliethermes worked a walk and later scored, and Crede delivered again with a single to the left side to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Comets broke the game open in the fourth, sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs.

Evan Koenigsfeld reached on a walk to start the inning before Kliethermes was hit by a pitch. After a pitching change and a wild pitch moved runners into scoring position, Crede singled to drive in a run. Tanner Huhn followed with a single to load the bases, and Tommy Heisler drew a walk to force in another run.

Tyler Bexten recorded a sacrifice fly, and Jack Wieberg (3-4, 2 RBI) followed with a two-run single to right. Tony Heckman was hit by a pitch to reload the bases, and Colten Scheulen drew a walk to bring in another run.

Koenigsfeld capped the inning with an RBI single to left, pushing the lead to 11-0.

Fatima finished with 10 hits and showed patience at the plate with nine walks.

Wieberg and Crede each collected three hits, while Kliethermes and Crede each drove in three runs. Koenigsfeld drew three walks to lead the team, and Bexten added two stolen bases.

Fatima carried its momentum from Thursday’s no-hitter into Saturday’s Willard Baseball Tournament opener, using a balanced offensive effort to defeat Valle Catholic 9-5.

“Valle Catholic was a game I’m glad we won, but it did not come easy,” said VanGerpen. “We had errors all over the game, but we were able to minimize damage each inning. They gave us some errors, and we were able to take advantage with a few more runs.”

Kliethermes led the charge at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three doubles and three RBIs, accounting for nearly a third of Fatima’s 14 hits in the game.

Valle Catholic struck first with a run in the bottom of the first, but Fatima answered in the second. Bexten delivered a triple to spark the inning, and Crede followed with an RBI single to tie the game.

Fatima broke the tie in the third. Heisler singled to drive in a run, and Kliethermes followed with a double to extend the lead to 4-2.

The Comets added separation in the sixth, stringing together three hits. Scheulen connected for a solo home run to left, and Kliethermes delivered again with an RBI double to push the lead further.

Heisler earned the win, allowing four hits on two earned runs over four innings with five strikeouts and one walk.

Kliethermes worked two innings in relief, allowing one run on three hits with one strikeout and two walks, and Crede and Tony Heckman also saw time on the mound to close out the win.

Fatima finished with 14 hits, with multiple-hit performances from Kliethermes, Heisler, and Crede.

The Comets also defeated East Carter, 3-1, in the late game.

“We had a strong pitching performance and played competitive baseball,” VanGerpen noted. “We hit the ball hard and played good defense. It was a good way to end the first week of games.”

Fatima closed out the day with a 3-1 victory over East Carter, riding a strong pitching performance and timely hitting. The Comets broke through with key at-bats in the middle innings, with Heisler driving in two runs to provide the difference. Bryce Wieberg controlled the game on the mound, working a complete game as Fatima backed him with solid defense to secure the win. He allowed just one run on five hits over seven innings while striking out eight and walking two.

Fatima produced timely offense, with Scheulen leading the way with two hits. Tommy Heisler drove in two runs, while Crede added an RBI. Kliethermes reached base three times and stole two bases, and J. Wieberg added a hit.

Fatima’s first few games were rough.

“The first three games showed just how inexperienced we are,” said VanGerpen. “It also showed us where we need to put the work in, and the boys responded with good practices.”

Fatima lost to Festus, 14-0, DeSoto, 5-3, and Helias, 8-1.

“Festus had some strong arms on the mound, and our inexperience showed,” said VanGerpen. “We made too many mental and physical errors.”

Heisler counted the lone hit for the Comets, and on the mound, he went four innings, allowing four hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out five and walking one. Kliethermes worked two innings in relief, allowing one run on three hits with one strikeout and two walks, and Crede pitched one inning, allowing one run on one hit with two walks.

Offensively, Crede went 2-for-4 with a double, while Kliethermes added a double and two RBIs. Wieberg also doubled, and Tommy Heisler and Trent Stuckenschneider each added a hit for the Comets.

Against DeSoto, the Comets competed more effectively but were undone by a big inning.

“That made the game more difficult for us to come back from,” said VanGerpen of the March 21 contest.

Two days later, the Comets fell to Helias.

“We were doing a good job competing in all phases, but we let one inning get away from us, and that one inning put it out of reach for us,” VanGerpen noted.

Bexten and Heckman (RBI) each had a single for the Comets.

On the mound, B. Wieberg got the start and went four innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits, with five strikeouts and three walks. Huhn gave up four earned runs on three hits with two walks.