By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton softball team dominated Columbus Grove 20-2 in a Northwest Conference makeup game Wednesday evening.

The Pirate girls improved to 9-9 overall and 4-3 in the NWC with the victory. The Bulldogs fell to 9-8 and 1-5 in NWC play with the loss.

The Bluffton girls jumped ahead with eight runs in the top of the first inning to knock out Grove starting pitcher Abby Stechschulte.

The Pirates tallied seven more runs in the fourth, and plated five runs in the fifth to more than invoke the 10-run rule.

Olivia Hobensack enjoyed a perfect day at the plate with four singles and a double in five at bats. She drove in three runs and scored three runs.

Lauren Bassett clubbed a home run and knocked in six runs on three hits. She also smacked a double and singled.

Hannah Davis collected two hits, two RBI and scored a run. Karleigh Davis added two hits and two runs with one steal. Ashley Fleece scored three runs, drove in two and singled to go with two walks.

Dyllan Worcester hit an RBI-double and scored two runs. Olivia Matthews contributed two hits and a pair of runs batted in.

Hannah Davis earned the pitching win with five innings of seven-hit softball. She struck out three, walked none and allowed one earned run.

Bluffton out-hit CG, 18-7. Gwen Langhals had two hits and one RBI for Grove.

Bluffton entertains local rival Allen East (6-9, 2-3 NWC) Thursday.

The Pirates are slated to host Bath (6-11) Friday.

BLU       800 75 -- 20 18 1

CG 100 10 -- 2  7 5

LOB--BLUFFTON 8, COLUMBUS GROVE 6. 

ERR--Faith Maple, Izzie Ramos (3), Carlie Aguirre, Erianne Heffner. 

2B—Lauren Bassett, Dyllan Worcester, Olivia Hobensack. 

HR—Lauren Bassett. 

HBP--Julia Mehaffie, Jaelyn Mangas. 

SB—Karliegh Davis, Izzie Ramos.

 BLUFFTON                        IP    H    R   ER   BB   SO   HR

Hannah Davis                    5.0    7     2     1      0      3      0

 COLUMBUS GROVE             

Abby Stechschulte            0.33    2    4      4    3     0      1

Dakota Dunn                     4.67   16   16    9    3     1      0

PB--Karliegh Davis, Erianne Heffner (3). 

BB--Dyllan Worcester, Ashley Fleece (2), Karliegh Davis,

Hannah Davis, Faith Maple.