By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__ The Bluffton High School girls softball team defeated local rival Allen East 12-6 in the Northwest Conference opener on a chilly Thursday evening, April 10.

The Pirate girls scored seven runs in a big second inning to seize control, and never trailed thereafter.

The Mustangs led 1-0 after scoring in the top of the second. Bluffton tacked on four insurance runs in the home fifth to build a 12-3 cushion. AE pushed across three runs in the top of the seventh to cut the final margin to six.

The Pirates improved to 1-2 overall with the win, and start 1-0 in the NWC.

Allen East fell to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the NWC with the defeat.

Great Meyer tripled, hit two singles and drove in three runs to pace the Pirate offense. She also scored two runs. 

Bluffton out-hit AE 15-13 in the slugfest.

Pirates Karleigh Davis and Danielle Cross each stroked two hits and drove in a pair of runs. Davis also scored twice.

Camryn Fruchey slapped three hits, scored two runs and had one RBI. Reis Thompson collected two hits and scored twice. Emma Green amassed a single, one run and one RBI.

Bluffton’s Peyton Worcester knocked in two runs with a hit and scored a run.

Haelee Rayle pitched a complete game to earn the win. She scattered 13 hits over seven innings. She gave up five earned runs and struck out three with no walks.

Sondra Clum and Harper Friesner each smacked three hits to lead AE. Each added a run and an RBI.

Bronwyn Shaefer doubled and singled while scoring two and driving in a run. Taylor Nickles slugged a double, singled, scored a run and drove in one. Aniya Prowant contributed two singles and a run.

Ella Miller took the loss after allowing 15 hits and 12 earned runs over six frames. She struck out one and walked two.

The Pirates committed three errors, while AE was guilty of three miscues. The Mustangs stranded eight runners, and Bluffton left six on base.

The Pirates visit tough BVC foe Liberty-Benton (7-1) Saturday.

WP-Rayle LP-Miller

2B-Shaefer (AE), Nickles (AE)

3B-Myers (B)