Pirate softball out-slugged by Titans
By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School softball team rallied late but lost its season opener 11-8 to visiting Ottawa-Glandorf Thursday evening, March 28.
The non-league defeat dropped the Pirates to 0-1, while O-G improved to 1-1 with the win.
O-G raced to a 3-0 lead after the first inning behind five singles. The Titan girls tacked on two more runs with two hits in the second frame.
Ottawa plated three more runs in the third inning, then added two more in the fourth to build a 10-0 margin heading to the home half of the fourth.
The Pirates plated two runs in the fourth as Danielle Cross and Olivia Hobensack touched home.
Cross singled and stole two bases to reach third base. Hobensack walked, and Lauren Bassett doubled both runners home. Adanna Johnstone singled and stole second, but the Pirates left the bases loaded.
Bluffton batted around and tallied six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally within 10-8.
The first four Pirates who batted in the sixth reached base and scored. Bassett, Johnstone and Faith Maple led off with consecutive singles. Pitcher Haelee Rayle walked to force in a run.
With one out, leadoff batter Ashley Fleece singled home two runs. Danielle Cross reached on an error and stole a base. She and Fleece later crossed home plate to pull within 10-8.
Hobensack walked, but the rally ended on a flyout with the Pirates still trailing by two runs.
O-G added one insurance run in the seventh.
Johnstone singled to lead off the seventh and stole two bases, but was stranded at third base as the Titans held on for the three-run win.
Bluffton is slated to play at St. Marys (0-1) Saturday, weather permitting. The Pirates then host WBL foe Elida (1-1) Monday, April 1.
The Northwest Conference opener is scheduled for Thursday, April 4 at local rival Allen East (0-3). The Mustangs dropped a 14-11 slugfest Thursday at Waynesfield-Goshen on a walk-off three-run homer by Rayne Oakes.
SCOREBOARD
1 2 3 | 4 5 6 | 7 | R | |||
O-G | 3 2 3 | 2 0 0 | 1 | 11 | ||
BLU | 0 0 0 | 2 0 6 | 0 | 8 |
Stories Posted This Week
Monday, June 30, 2025
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Saturday, June 28, 2025
- Community Pool closed June 28
- Weekend Doctor: About Rotator Cuff Repair
- WOAL Swim Champs in Wapakoneta July 11-12
- '60s Survivors Band plays fifth annual free concert
- Bluffton Lions to bring all-abilities playground to new Legacy Park
- July 2025 programs and services at Bluffton Public Library
- Save the date: July 17 Garden Club is all about herbs
- Bluffton Vacation Bible School, July 13-17 at Bluffton Y
Friday, June 27, 2025
- Foundation launches Rooted to Rise initiative
- Eight vehicle injury crash IR 75 in Hancock County
- Bluffton Mayor commends Safety Services on June 26 injury accident response
- What's in your weekend?, June 27-28-29
- Go wolfhound to Bluffton
- Letter: Ask for veto of HB 96 library provision
- ODNR Offering Hunter Education Instructor Classes
Thursday, June 26, 2025
- Bluffton safety services respond to multi-vehicle accidents on I-75
- Travel opportunities update from Bluffton Senior Center
- Send July 2025 Community Calendar items to the Icon
- National Night Out is August 5, planning is in final stages
- Bluffton Senior Center activities schedule for July 2025
- Does your business have summer hours? Post them on the Icon
- Bluffton, Ohio ranks 4th in Ohio for bike network quality