By Cort Reynolds

The surging Bluffton High School varsity softball team won its fifth straight game by decisively beating host Leipsic 7-1 on Charlie Bennettt Field Thursday evening, April 21.

The Pirate girls plated single runs in each of the second and third frames. Bluffton extended its lead to 5-0 with a three-run fifth.

The visitors tacked on two insurance runs in their seventh and last at bat. 

Leipsic plated its lone run in the home sixth on a solo home run by losing pitcher Jocelyn Hermiller.

The Lady Pirates improved to 5-4 overall and 2-0 in the NWC with the victory. Leipsic fell to 6-3 and 1-2 in the NWC with the defeat.

Pirate senior catcher Sophie Bricker tripled and hit a single to lead the 10-hit attack.

Pirate sophomore Lauren Bassett collected an RBI single.

Ashley Fleece singled twice, and senior shortstop Riley Busch drove in one run with two hits. 

Bluffton junior Dyllan Worcester delivered a two-run single.

Lauren Swartzlander contributed an RBI single.

Hannah Davis struck out six Vikings and walked none while scattering six hits to earn her fifth consecutive win. Davis also drove in a run with a single.

Marisa Hermiller led Leipsic with two singles.

   123 456 7 R   H  E

Blu 011 030 2 7 10 2

Leip 000 001 0 1 6 4

WP-Davis (5-3) LP-J. Hermiller

3B-Bricker (B)

HR-J. Hermiller (L)

The Pirate girls host perennial Northwest Conference power Crestview (11-1, 3-0 NWC) Friday in a makeup game snowed out this past Monday.