SOUTH WHITLEY – The Whitko baseball team ran into a buzz saw Monday night.

In the form of the Northfield ace Ryan Keaffaber.

The super southpaw fired a three-hitter to lead Class 2-A No. 1 Northfield past the host Wildcats 9-0.

Keaffaber, who pitched the Norsemen to the Class 2-A state championship in 2012, fanned 16 in the win. The lefty, who improved to 5-1 on the season, had just two walks.

Keaffaber, who has signed to play at Indiana State, improved his career mark to 40-3. He was 16-0 as a junior and his 40 wins are tied for sixth all-time in state history. The state record is 46 wins by Steve DeRoos of Wheeler from 1984-87.

The Norsemen scored five runs in the top of the first inning to take control of the Three Rivers Conference contest. Northfield collected 13 hits in the win.

Keaffaber helped his own cause with a pair of hits.

Northfield improves to 15-3 overall on the season and 3-1 in the TRC. Whitko drops to 15-6 overall and 2-2 in league play.

Whitko hosts Wabash and Northfield entertains North Miami on Wednesday evening.