By Cort Reynolds

LEIPSIC__ The visiting Bluffton High School baseball team out-hit Leipsic but lost 8-6 in a Northwest Conference game Monday night, April 22.

The Pirates fell to 3-6 overall and 1-2 in NWC play with the loss, while Leipsic improved to 10-1 and 3-0 in the NWC after the win.

The Pirates scored a run in the top of the first to take the early edge. But the Vikings plated four runs in the second to take the lead for good. Leipsic catcher Quinn Schroeder hit a three-run triple to highlight the inning. 

Bluffton scored two runs in the third inning to inch within 4-3. But Leipsic answered with two runs in the home third to regain a three-run lead at 6-3. 

Two more Viking scores stretched their lead to 8-3 after four frames. Bluffton pushed across a run in the fifth, and tallied two more in the sixth to inch within 8-6.

Bluffton out-hit Leipsic, 13-8. Both teams committed one error. Leipsic drew eight walks, compared to two bases on balls by Bluffton. The Pirates stranded nine runners, while the Vikings left 12 on base.

Kerry Wright hit a double, singled twice and scored a run for the Pirates. Luke Jebsen doubled and singled. Brody Anderson hit a double, singled, walked once and scored two runs.

Braeden Jordan also hit a double, singled, drove in a run and scored a run. Jacob Granger hit a two-run single. Landen Worcester added an RBI hit. Quinn Eachus hit two singles, scored a run and drove one in.

Leipsic hurler Nick Schroeder pitched all seven innings, scattering 13 hits as he allowed five earned runs. He struck out five and walked two.

SCOREBOARD

         1 2 3   4 5 6   7    R  H  E

BLU  1 0 2   0 1 2   0    6  13  1

LEIP  0 4 2   2 0 0   x     8    8  1 

WP-N. Schroeder LP-Howbert

2B-Jordan (B), Wright (B), Anderson (B), Jebsen (B), Lammers (L)

3B-Q. Schroeder (L)