By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton varsity softball team crushed Spencerville 23-4 in a Northwest Conference matchup Thursday evening, April 28.

The potent Bluffton offense cranked out a season-high 27 hits, including eight of the extra-base variety, to post the blowout win.

The Pirate girls improved to 8-5 overall and 3-1 in the NWC with the decisive victory. Streaking Bluffton has won eight of its last nine games.

The Bearcats fell to 3-12 and 0-5 in the NWC with the defeat.

Bluffton scored in all four of its at bats to win going away. 

The Pirate girls started strongly by scoring five runs in the top of the first frame, and never looked back.

Bluffton extended its lead to 9-2 after two frames. The visitors then put the game well out of reach with a seven-run third inning.

The Pirates tacked on two runs in the fourth, then added five more runs in the fifth.

Pirate hurler Hannah Davis earned her eighth win with a five-inning effort as she scattered eight hits. She also stroked three hits, drove in three runs and slugged two doubles.

Lauren Swartzlander drove in four runs with two doubles and two singles. 

Olivia Hobensack slugged two doubles and two singles while knocking in one run. Addie Businger hit a double, two singles and collected a season-high five RBI.

Senior catcher Sophie Bricker collected three hits.

Lauren Bassett drove in four runs with two hits.

Riley Busch collected two RBI with a triple and a single. Ashley Fleece knocked in two runs with two hits. Adanna Johnstone added a pair of hits. 

Faith Maple and Danielle Cross each contributed a single and an RBI.

Maddy Layman led Spencerville with two hits and one RBI.

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Blu 547 25x x 23 27 0

Svl 021 01x x 4 8 4

WP-Davis (8-4) LP-Orick

2B-Davis 2 (B), Hobensack 2 (B), Swartzlander 2 (B), Businger (B)

3B-Busch (B)

The Pirates host Delphos Jefferson (3-10, 1-4 NWC) Friday in a league makeup game Friday evening.

The postponed game vs. defending Northwest Conference champion Lincolnview (13-3, 4-1 NWC) is rescheduled for Saturday, April 30.