By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School softball team lost 7-4 to visiting Elida on a chilly Monday evening, April 6.

The Bulldogs led 4-3 after six innings, then plated three big runs in the top of the seventh to give themselves some breathing room. Bluffton scored once in the home seventh, but came up three short.

The Pirate girls fell to 1-2 with the non-league defeat. Elida improved to 2-2 after the win.

The Bulldogs led 2-0 after two innings, then added two scores in the third to build a 4-0 cushion. Bluffton cut the deficit in half with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. 

The Pirates tallied a run in sixth to inch within 4-3 heading to the eventual final frame.

Bluffton senior Macy Schaadt doubled, hit two singles and scored two runs. She also drove in one run and stole a base.

Junior shortstop Greta Myers smacked a double, singled, scored a run and stole one base.

Freshman third sacker Evelyn Boyles slapped a single, and first baseman Camryn Fruchey delivered an RBI single.

Catcher Karleigh Davis singled, scored a run and stole three bases. Mummert added an RBI hit.

Elida scored three big insurance runs to one by the Pirates in their last at bat to clinch the win.

Lexi Metcalfe doubled twice for Elida and scored two runs. Liv Walters stroked two singles and a double, scored twice and swiped a pair of bases.

Winning pitcher Mia Mammone aided her own cause with a two-run single. She also hit a double, scored a run, walked and stole a base. She pitched all seven innings and scattered nine hits to allow three earned runs. Mammone struck out nine and walked three.

Bulldog catcher Holly Dingledine stole three bases and swatted two singles. Lacie Hawkey hit a double and single to plate a run, and stole two bags.

Peyton Worcester started and pitched the first five innings for the Pirates. She allowed seven hits and four earned runs while striking out eight and walking four.

Haelee Rayle relieved and tossed the final two frames for the Pirates. She gave up nine hits and three earned runs.

The Bulldogs out-hit the Pirates 16-9 and drew seven walks. They knocked out five doubles to two doubles by Bluffton.

Elida stole a whopping 18 bases and left nine runners on base. Bluffton stranded six and swiped five bags.

The Pirate girls are slated to open Northwest Conference play at local rival Allen East (0-3) Thursday, April 9.

WP-Mammone LP-Worcester

2B-Metcalfe 2 (E ), Mammone (E ), Walters (E ), Hawkey (E ), Schaadt (B), Myers (B)