By Cort Reynolds
FINDLAY - The visiting Bluffton softball squad swept a high-scoring twinbill at non-league foe Liberty-Benton Saturday.
The wins upped the Lady Pirate record to 6-1.
Bluffton won the opener 8-5 behind the pitching and hitting of Libby Schaadt. In game two, the Pirates held off an eight-run rally by L-B in the bottom of the seventh to preserve a 19-18 victory.
Schaadt knocked out two doubles and a single in the first game. She also pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and five earned runs while striking out a dozen Eagles.
Madison Fleece collected two hits to help pace the 13-hit Pirate offense. Riley Busch doubled, singled and drove in two runs as well.
Pirate Sophie Bricker had two hits and scored twice. Alivia Koenig hit a double while Katie Prater drove in two runs with a hit.
Game1 123 456 7 R H E
Blu 010 052 0 8 13 1
L-B 210 010 1 5 6 2
WP-Schaadt LP-Benschofer
2B-Schaadt 2 (B), Busch (B), Koenig (B), Young (LB)
In the wild nightcap, Bluffton led 6-4 after a wild first inning. The Pirates again plated six runs in the second inning, but L-B matched those six runs in the home second to pull within 12-10.
Bluffton extended its lead with four runs in the fourth, two in the sixth and one more in the seventh to lead 19-10 entering the final Eagle at bat.
L-B pushed across eight runs but came up just short to lose a 19-18 slugfest.
Bluffton was narrowly out-hit by L-B, 15-14. But the Eagles committed eight costly errors.
Pirate Lauren Swartzwalder earned the win by hurling 5 2/3 innings of nine-hit ball. She gave up eight earned runs and eight walks, while striking out two.
Schaadt was again a batting standout for the victors. She hit a triple, two singles, scored three times and drove four Pirate teammates home.
Prater collected three hits and scored twice. Averey Rumer contributed two hits and scored three runs. Brinkley Garmatter also amassed two hits and scored twice.
Bender added a double and a single.
Game2 123 456 7 R H E
Blu 660 402 1 19 14 2
L-B 460 000 8 18 15 8
WP-Swartzlander LP-Pape
2B-Bender (B), Pape (LB), Durliat (LB), Darrah (LB)
3B-Schaadt (B)
Bluffton (1-0 NWC) plays at perennial power Crestview (5-1, 1-0 NWC) Monday, April 8.
