By Cort Reynolds
COLUMBUS GROVE - Visiting Bluffton lost to Columbus Grove 9-6 in a Northwest Conference softball makeup contest Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Pirates fell to 4-11 and 2-5 in the NWC with the defeat that snapped a modest two-game win streak. Grove improved to 9-7 and 2-3 in the NWC with the win.
Bluffton plated three runs in the top of the first frame, but CG matched it in the home half of the first.
Grove edged ahead 6-3 with single runs in each of the second, third and fourth innings.
The Bulldogs then broke it open with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth.
The Pirate girls answered with three runs in the top of the sixth, but could get no closer.
Riley Busch hammered a three-run homer to pace the Pirate offense. Ashley Fleece hit two singles.
Dyllan Worcester contributed a hit and drove in a run. Hannah Davis also singled home a run.
The Pirate girls were out-hit by the Bulldogs, 12-5. Bluffton committed four errors and CG made three miscues.
Winning pitcher Cheyanne Mershman had two hits, while teammate Gwen Langhals batted 2-3. Kam Utendorf collected three hits and one run batted in, and also earned the save with one inning of scoreless relief in the seventh with two whiffs.
Jaelyn Mangas added a hit and an RBI.
Mershman struck out six Pirates and allowed five earned runs in six innings.
123 456 7 R H E
Blu 300 003 0 6 5 4
CG 311 130 x 9 12 3
WP-Mershman LP-Davis (1-4)
Save-Utendorf
2B-Schroeder (CG)
HR-Busch (B)
The Pirate girls host local league rival Allen East (11-8, 2-3 NWC) Monday, May 3.
BASEBALL
ARLINGTON - The Bluffton baseball team lost a non-league doubleheader at Arlington Saturday.
The Red Devils took game one 16-6 and also won the nightcap, 13-0.
The Pirates dropped to 0-17 with the defeats. Arlington improved to 8-6 with the sweep.
Bluffton hosts Allen County league rival Allen East (14-6, 3-2 NWC) Monday, May 3. AE split a twinbill at Bath Saturday, winning the opener 6-4 and losing game two 11-4.
