By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School varsity baseball team lost to visiting Columbus Grove 11-2 in a Northwest Conference game Monday evening, May 2.

The Pirates dropped to 3-15 overall and 1-5 in the NWC with the defeat. Grove improved to 13-3 overall and 3-2 in the NWC after the victory.

Bluffton trailed 2-0 after the first inning. The Pirates cut the deficit to 3-1 after two frames, but CG pulled further ahead with four runs in the top of the third inning. 

The Bulldogs then plated three runs in the fourth frame to extend their lead to 10-1.

Each team tallied a run in the top of the sixth to finish the scoring.

Bluffton sophomore hurler Daniel Friedritz hit a run-scoring double. He struck out four Bulldogs in seven innings on the mound.

Pirate singles were hit by sophomores Braeden Jordan, Kerry Wright, Tyler Cupples and freshman Quinn Eachus. Wright and Cupples each stole a base, and Cupples scored both Pirate runs. Wright also drew two walks.

Bluffton was out-hit by Grove, 17-5. Both teams left nine runners on base. The Pirates committed five errors that led to two unearned runs.

CG senior Trey Sautter hit a double and three singles to pace the Bulldog offense. He also scored three runs. Grove stole 13 bases. Luke Otto earned the pitching win in relief.

   123 456 7 R   H  E

CG 214 301 0 11 17 1

Blu 010 001 0 2 5 5

WP-Davis (9-5) LP-Friedritz

2B-Friedritz (B), Sautter (CG), Renner (CG), L. Schroeder (CG)

Bluffton is scheduled to host local league rival Allen East (4-9, 0-5 NWC) Thursday.