Will Shaffer entered a game dominated by offense ... and changed the narrative.

The relief pitcher for the 3B Barons shut out the Butler Iron Bucks over the final five innings of Thursday’s Tri-State Collegiate League baseball clash at Pullman Park.

He was finally rewarded when his teammates erupted with a five-run top of the 12th inning as he earned the win in a 16-11 decision.

Shaffer struck out five, walked three and allowed just one hit, ironically to Gino Scott, the first batter he faced after taking the mound.

“He’s a closer at (Youngstown State University) and is used to throwing one or two innings,” said Barons manager Eric Francis. “So to do what he did tonight, that’s big-time.

“He made sure to work in his off-speed stuff, but is also mentally tough.”

The Iron Bucks (7-2) were receiving their own stingy pitching effort from Pat Synan, their fourth hurler of the game. He allowed an RBI-double to Nick Vitale that tied the game at 11 in the top of the ninth, but kept the Barons (5-3) off the scoreboard over the next two frames despite the extra-inning rule that each half-inning begins with a runner on second base.

Then came the top of the 12th. With one out, Vitale reached third base on Gabe Yanssens’ groundout and scored on Frank DeLuca’s base hit.

Benny Dottle later doubled in a run and Nathan Meeks drove in two more before scoring himself on a fielding error.

Shaffer made quick work of the Bucks in the bottom of the inning to end the game.

The Barons tallied 17 hits in the victory.

“We had been pitching well,” said Butler manager Len Piccini, “but they (Barons) are well-coached and are a very good team.”

Piccini also pointed out that the Bucks lead the eight-team circuit in runs scored with 76. They certainly did enough at the plate Thursday to win most games.

The second through fifth batters in the team’s lineup — Mattix Clement, Alex Colwell, Brent Creehan and Cam Morris — combined for 10 hits, including four doubles, and eight RBI.

3B Barons 022 121 111 005 — 16 17 4

Iron Bucks 104 310 200 000 — 11 14 2

W: Will Shaffer 5 IP (5K, 3BB). L: Pat Synan 4 IP (3K, 2BB).

3B Barons: Benny Dottle 2B 2R RBI, JA Quahliero 1B R RBI, Nathan Meeks 2-1B 3R 2RBI, Chase Tomko 2-1B 2R RBI, Kaleb Gorichky 2-1B 2R 2RBI, Nick Vitale 1B 2B R 2RBI, Gabe Yanssens 2-1B R RBI, Frank DeLuca 2-1B R 2RBI, Ashton Wilson 1B 2R RBI

Iron Bucks: Mattix Clement 2-1B 2B 3R 2RBI, Alex Colwell 1B 2B R 3RBI, Brent Creehan 2-1B 2B R 3RBI, Cam Morris 1B 2B 2R, Lenny Piccini 1B 2RBI, Gino Scott 2-1B 2R

Friday: DuBois at Butler Iron Bucks