By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School softball team lost 10-0 to visiting backyard rival Allen East in their Northwest Conference finale game Thursday evening, May 4.

The Pirates fell to 9-10 overall and finished 4-4 in the NWC with the defeat. The Mustangs improved to 7-9 overall and 3-3 in NWC play with the win.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning, when AE broke it open with four runs.

AE tacked on a run in the fifth to go ahead 5-0. The Mustangs then plated five runs in the top of the sixth to build a 10-0 cushion and end the game an inning early.

Mustang slugger Maggie Wanamaker drove in a season-high six runs with a home run, double and single. She also scored two runs.

Mustang leadoff hitter Audrey Rex stroked three singles, scored a run and drove in one run. Aubrey Young hit two singles, scored a run and drove in one run and added a steal.

AE catcher Savana Brooks had one hit, two RBI and scored a run while stealing two bases. Hannah Williams legged out an RBI triple and scored a run.

AE senior pitcher Nikki Thaxton hurled a six-inning, two-hit shutout for the victors. She struck out nine and walked two.

Faith Maple and Olivia Matthews singled to provide the Bluffton hits.

Pirate Hannah Davis struck out four and gave up 12 hits with 10 earned runs.

The Mustangs left seven runners on base while the Pirates stranded four. AE made no errors, while Bluffton committed one miscue.

Bluffton entertains rival AE again in the Div. III sectional semifinals Monday, May 9.

123 456 7 R H E

AE       000 415 x 10 12 0

BLU    000 000 x 0  2 1

LOB--ALLEN EAST 7, BLUFFTON 4. 

E--Ashley Fleece. 

2B-M. Wanamaker, T Thaxton. 

3B--H Williams. 

HR--M Wanamaker.

HBP--T Thaxton. 

SB--S Brooks (2), A Prowant, A Young.

PB--Karliegh Davis (2). WP--Hannah Davis (2). 

BB—Thaxton (2), A Prowant, Rex, Julia Mehaffie, Olivia Hobensack.