By Cort Reynolds
The Bluffton High School varsity softball team rallied late but came up just short 6-5 to visiting Lima Central Catholic in Div. IV sectional semifinal action Monday evening, May 9.
The Pirate girls fell to 9-8 with the difficult defeat. LCC improved to 3-11 with the victory.
The Thunderbirds advance to the sectional final round Thursday, May 12 against fifth seed Columbus Grove (10-5).
Bluffton trailed 3-0 after two innings, but cut the deficit to 3-2 after a two-run third frame.
LCC inched ahead 5-3 after five innings, then plated a key insurance run in the top of the seventh.
The Pirate girls rallied to score twice and pull within 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh, but could not tie it up.
Riley Busch slugged four hits and drove in three runs to pace the Pirate offense.
Senior catcher Sophie Bricker knocked out three hits. Addie Businger drove home two runs with a single. Olivia Hobensack smacked a double.
Lauren Swartzlander and Olivia Matthews each singled.
Bluffton out-hit LCC, 11-9. Pitcher Hannah Davis struck out six and walked none for the Pirates.
Jaylen Roehm earned the pitching win for the T-Birds. Roehm aided her own cause by stroking two hits and driving in two runs. Kyla Badea contributed two hits.
123 456 7 R H E
LCC 030 110 1 6 9 1
Blu 002 010 2 5 11 2
WP-Roehm LP-Davis (9-6)
2B-Hobensack (B)
Bluffton (4-3 NWC) hosts local league rival Allen East (8-8, 2-3 NWC) Saturday in a makeup contest for their league season finale.
