By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON - The Bluffton High School softball team lost 15-3 to visiting non-conference rival Riverdale on a windy Tuesday evening, April 29.

The Pirate girls dropped to 2-8 overall with the loss. Riverdale improved to 9-7 after the decisive win.

Bluffton scored singles runs in the first two frames to tie it 2-2 heading to the third. The visiting Falcons then tallied six runs in the top of the third to blow the game open.

Riverdale then plated four more runs in the fourth, and tacked on three in the fifth. The Pirates added a run in the home fifth but it wasn’t enough to avoid inducing the 10-run mercy rule.

Bluffton was out-hit by the Falcons, 10-3. Riverdale smacked five doubles, including a pair of two-baggers by Addie Farmer.

The Pirates drew two walks, and their pitchers allowed 10 bases on balls. 

Bluffton committed two errors that led to just one unearned run. Riverdale made four miscues.

Adelyn Althaus led the Pirate offense with two hits. Ryleigh Rex added the other hit and one RBI. Danielle Cross and Emma Green each drove in a run. Jessa Swank crossed home two times after walking twice, and Brooklyn Moser scored a run. 

Swank and Althaus each stole one base.

Bluffton starter Haelee Rayle hurled the first three innings, giving up seven hits and six earned runs to get the loss. She struck out two and walked two.

Pirate Peyton Worcester relieved her and pitched 1.2 innings. She allowed three hits and six runs while walking four and striking out two.

Camryn Fruchey came on to record the last two outs. She walked four and gave up two earned runs.    

Falcon Addi Manns pitched five innings of three-hit, three-run softball to earn the win. She walked two and whiffed four.

Leadoff hitter Farmer batted 3-3 with three runs and two RBI for the victors. Carly Karcher and Manns each drove in two runs. Dylan Thacker hit a double, singled, scored twice and had two RBI. 

Gracie Kline doubled and scored a run. Jamie Kemmerly added two hits and two runs, plus one RBI.

The Pirates stranded six runners, while the Falcons left nine on base.

123 456 7 R H E

Rdal 206 43x x 15 10 4

Blu 110 01x x 3 3 2

WP-Manns LP-Rayle

2B-Farmer 2 (R ), Manns (R ), Kline (R ), Thacker (R )