By Cort Rynolds

HARROD__The visiting Bluffton softball team lost a wild 20-14 seesaw battle to local rival Allen East in their weather-delayed Northwest Conference opener on Saturday, April 13.

The Bluffton girls jumped ahead with an eight-run outburst in the top of the first inning. But they were unable to hold off the hard-charging Mustangs, who raked Pirate pitching for 18 hits.

The defeat dropped the Pirate record to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the NWC. AE improved to 1-4 and 1-0 in league play with their initial win.

After Bluffton plated eight runs in their first time at bat, AE responded with three runs in the home first. The Mustangs then took a 9-8 lead by tallying six runs in the bottom of the second inning.

The Pirates forged back in front 13-9 with a five-run third. AE edged within 13-12 by plating three runs in the home half of the third.

The hosts then took the lead for good behind another six-run explosion in the fourth inning. Bluffton pushed across one run in the fifth to inch within 18-14, but AE answered by tallying two runs in the home fifth.

Neither team scored the rest of the way as the Mustangs held on for the six-run win.

Pirate senior slugger Lauren Bassett drove in six runs on a home run and single, and scored three runs. Shortstop Ashley Fleece scored three runs and had a hit with two walks. 

Second baseman Greta Myers scored two runs, singled, drew two walks and had one run batted in.

Olivia Hobensack walked twice, scored two runs and drove in one. Right fielder Adanna Johnstone scored a run and knocked one run in. First sacker Faith Maple singled. 

Reis Thompson, Danielle Cross and Karleigh Davis scored a run apiece.

Sophomore Haelee Rayle pitched all six innings and threw 123 pitches for the Pirates. She had one strikeout and allowed 13 earned runs while also hitting three batters.

AE out-hit Bluffton, 18-5. The Mustangs committed nine errors in the wild contest that led to 11 unearned runs. Meanwhile, the Pirates made seven miscues which allowed seven unearned runs to score.

Slugging Mustang catcher/third baseman Taylor Nickles cranked out four hits and drove in five runs from the clean-up spot. She hit a home run and also scored five runs.

Speedy senior outfielder Aubrey Young scored four runs on four hits, including a double and a steal. Senior catcher/shortstop Savana Brooks contributed a double, two singles, three RBI, one steal and two runs.

Freshman Maddie Miller cranked a three-run double. AE frosh Aaliyah Young had two hits and scored three runs with one stolen base.

Freshman starting pitcher Lauren Wireman collected three hits, two RBI and one run. She also struck out five, walked five and allowed three earned runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Aaliyah Young earned the win with 3 2/3 innings of three-hit relief pitching. She allowed one unearned run and struck out five with two walks.

AE left 10 runners on base, while Bluffton stranded eight. 

Bluffton plays at Ada (7-2, 0-0 NWC) Monday. The Bulldogs beat Ridgemont 10-1 Saturday.

AE hosts Ada Thursday in a backyard rivalry bout. 

123 456 7 R H E

Blf 805 010 0 14 5 7

AE 363 620 x 20 18 9

WP-A. Young LP-Rayle

2B-Brooks (AE), M. Milelr (AE), Nickles (AE), A. Young (AE)

HR-Nickles (AE), Bassett (B)