By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - Host Bluffton defeated Leipisc 7-1 in Div. IV sectional final softball action Friday evening.
The Lady Pirates improved to 20-1 with their 19th win in a row. The Lady Vikings ended up 8-14 after the loss.
Junior hurler Libby Schaadt won her 17th game in a row with a two-hitter. She struck out nine Vikings and walked four, allowing one earned run.
Bluffton scored a run in the home first to grab an early lead. They extended the edge to 3-0 before the Vikes scored their lone run in the top of the fourth frame.
The Pirates matched that run in the home fourth, then put the game out of reach with three runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Bluffton's Katie Prater drove in three runs on two hits. Madison Fleece hit three singles and Averey Rumer singled twice and scored two times.
Schaadt, Sophie Bricker and Mara Minnign each added one hit.
Hannah Mortimer and Jocelyn Hermiller collected the two Leipsic hits, both singles. Hermiller took the pitching loss, scattering 10 hits over six innings. Only three of the runs she allowed were earned. She struck out two and walked three Pirates.
123 456 7 R H E
Leip 000 100 0 1 2 2
Blf 102 130 x 7 10 1
WP-Schaadt (18-1) MP-Hermiller
Bluffton out-hit Leipisc, 10-2. The Vikes made two errors and the Pirates committed one miscue.
Bluffton now plays in the district semifinals at the Findlay Marathon Diamonds May 15 vs. Carey or Riverdale. Carey handed Bluffton its only loss this season, 8-2.
The district finals are May 17 at Findlay.
