By Cort Reynolds

FINDLAY __ The Bluffton High School girls softball team lost 16-3 at non-conference power Liberty-Benton on Saturday, April 12.

The Pirate girls fell to 1-3 overall with the loss. Liberty-Benton improved to 8-1 with the victory.

The Pirates started well with two runs in the top of the first inning. Karleigh Davis and Greta Myers each singled leading off. With two out, Emma Green delivered a two-run single to provide a 2-0 edge.

The Eagles took a 3-2 lead with three runs in the home half of the first. Bluffton tied it briefly 3-3 with a run in the top of the second on a Davis RBI which plated Jessa Swank, who had walked.

L-B regained the lead for good with seven big runs in the bottom of the second. The Eagles pushed five more runs across the plate in the third to build a 15-3 cushion.

One more Eagle run in the fourth provided the final margin. 

L-B pitching held the Pirates without a hit over the final four frames of the run-rule shortened contest.

Bluffton was out-hit by L-B, 12-3. Hayden Gillig led the hosts with two triples, a single and four runs. Alyssa Roberts drove in four runs with a double, sacrifice fly and single, and she scored three runs. 

Kylie Steinman doubled, singled and had two RBI. Sydney Ruetz added three RBI on one hit.

Haelee Rayle started and pitched the first three innings. She allowed 11 hits and nine earned runs. She struck one and walked one.

Bluffton’s Peyton Worcester hurled the fourth frame. She gave up five earned runs on one hit and five walks. She struck out two. 

Davis added two steals to her single, run and one RBI for the Pirates.

The Pirates committed two errors, while L-B was guilty of one miscue. The Eagles stranded four runners, and Bluffton left three on base.

The Pirates host McComb (1-4) April 15.

PLAYER STATS

WP-Knapke LP-Rayle

2B-Steinman (LB), Roberts (LB)

3B-Gillig 2 (LB)