By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - Host Bluffton defeated Leipsic 5-1 in a non-league softball contest Friday evening.

The Lady Pirates improved to 4-10 with the win against their future NWC opponent. Leipsic fell to 7-7 with the defeat. 

The Viking girls scored in the first inning on a solo home run by losing pitcher Jocelyn Hermiller. But Bluffton tied it with a score in the bottom of the third frame.

The Pirate girls took a two-run lead with a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Bluffton tacked on two more insurance tallies in the home sixth to provide the final margin.

Bluffton hurler Grace Myers earned her third vistory with a complete-game effort. She also collected two singles and a run batted in to aid her own cause.

Dyllan Worcester smacked two hits and drove in a run. Kennedy Jordan singled twice and Riley Busch added a single. Hannah Davis doubled home a run as well.

The Pirate girls out-hit the Vikings, 8-5. Both teams committed one error.

Ally Kirkendall hit a double and two singles for Leipsic. Hermiller drove in the lone Viking run with her home run.

    123    456    7    R    H    E    
Leip    100    000    0    1    5    1        
Blu    001    202    x    5    8    1        
WP-Myers (3-6)    LP-Hermiller        
2B-Davis (B), Kirkendall (L)
HR-Hermiller (L)

Bluffton resumes league play with a makeup game Saturday at Columbus Grove (8-7, 1-3 NWC). The Pirates then host local league rival Allen East (11-8, 2-3 NWC) Monday, May 3.