By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School baseball team lost 11-2 to visiting Parkway in a non-league game Friday evening, April 4. 

Bluffton fell to 2-2 overall with the defeat. The Panthers improved to 2-1 with the win.

Sophomore outfielder Blayne Hill led the Pirate offense with two singles, a run scored and a double. Senior Luke Jebsen contributed two singles. Junior Robby Taylor added a single and scored a run. Jake Weaver had one RBI.

Hill and Taylor each stole a base.

Panther Xavier Samples pitched all seven innings and allowed six hits with just one earned run to earn the win.

Jacoby Triplett hit two doubles and drove in two runs. He also scored twice. 

The Panthers jumped in front with four runs in the top of the first inning and led 5-2 after three frames. A three-run fifth and two more scores in the sixth by the Panthers put the game out of reach.

The Pirates were held scoreless over the last four innings.

Pirate senior Brody Anderson pitched three innings. He permitted three earned runs on three hits and three walks, and he struck out three.

Senior Keaton Howbert also gave up three earned runs in four innings on the mound. He gave up five hits and three walks while whiffing one.

Parkway out-hit the Pirates, 11-7. The Panthers swiped eight bases and drew six walks.

Parkway committed one error, while Bluffton made four miscues leading to five unearned runs.

Bluffton is slated to host Liberty-Benton (2-1) Saturday at noon.

The Northwest Conference opener is set for April 10 at home vs. traditional rival Allen East. The first seven Pirate games are at home.

WP-Samples LP-Anderson

2B-Hill (B), Triplett 2 (P), Boroff (P)