SOUTH WHITLEY – The Whitko softball team came up just short in a pair of close contests Saturday.

The Wildcats lost a 6-5 final at Bluffton and also dropped a 7-4 final to Central Noble at home.

Whitko scored three runs in the first inning versus Bluffton. The hosts rallied to tie the game at 4-4 before Kennedy Krull drove home a run in the top of the seventh to give Whitko a 5-4 edge. Bluffton plated two runs in their final at-bat for the win.

Aly Nicodemus led the offense for the Wildcats with a 3-3 outing with a double and two runs scored. Maddie Gawthrop was 2-3 at the plate. Hanna Yohe allowed just two earned runs in the circle.

Central Noble scored three times in the top of the seventh for the victory.

The quartet of Shelby Martin, Gawthrop, Krull and Hanna Yohe each had two hits for Whitko. Hanna Yohe and Haley Yohe each had RBI doubles for the Wildcats.

Nicodemus turned in a strong pitching performance with nine strikeouts and no walks.

Whitko (0-3) hosts Fort Wayne South Tuesday at 5 p.m. The Wildcats are then slated to play at West Noble Wednesday at 5 and at Columbia City Friday at 5.