By Cort Reynolds
DELPHOS - Visiting Bluffton posted a sixth consecutive shutout as hurler Libby Schaadt blanked Delphos Jefferson 8-0 Thursday evening in a Northwest Conference softball game.
The Lady Pirates extended their win streak to 17 games with the victory. Bluffton improved their season record to 18-1 and 7-0 in NWC play to stay in first place.
The Pirate girls have one league game left vs. second-place Allen East (15-2, 5-1 NWC), a makeup bout slated for Wednesday, May 8.
DJ fell to 5-13 overall and 1-5 in NWC action with the defeat.
Junior Schaadt struck out 10 Wildcat batters and walked one over seven scoreless innings. She increased her record to 16-1 with the three-hit whitewash, her 15th win in a row.
Bluffton has not allowed a run since game two of a doubleheader sweep vs. St. Marys on April 13, a 7-5 win. Schaadt has pitched 40 scoreles innings in a row since a 2-1 win over SM in the opener of that twinbill.
At Delphos, the Pirates scored two runs in the first and one in the fourth, then broke it open with five scores in the top of the fifth. One last run in the seventh provided the final margin of eight.
Sophie Bricker collected four two hits and two runs to pace the eight-hit Pirate offense. Katie Prater and Riley Busch each contributed a double and scored two runs apiece.
Averey Rumer and Madison Fleece both added a single.
Bluffton played error-less defense whil DJ committed four errors. Michelle Rode singled and hit a double, while Anna Fitch tripled to provide all three Wildcat hits.
DJ's Aly Lindeman hurled a complete game, scattering eight hits. She allowed six earned runs, walked six and struck out seven in a losing effort.
Carey has been the only team to beat Bluffton back on March 26 by an 8-2 count.
123 456 7 R H E
Blf 200 140 1 8 8 0
DJ 000 000 0 0 3 4
WP-Schaadt (16-1) LP-A. Lindeman
2B-Prater (B), Busch (B), Rode (DJ)
3B-Fitch (DJ)
Bluffton is slated to host non-league foe Bath Friday, May 3. Weather permitting, they have a doublehader at Arlington Saturday, May 4.
The Pirates will host Cory-Rawson or Leipsic Thursday, May 9 in the sectional finals.
Click here for more Marvin Foster softball photos
