By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School softball team raced to a big early lead and whipped non-conference foe Ottawa Hills 13-3 on Friday, April 24.

The Pirates jumped ahead with a five-run first inning and never looked back. They tallied a single run in the second, then added two more in the third to build an 8-0 lead.

A Bluffton three-run fourth advanced the margin to 11-0. OH scored its three runs in the top of the fifth inning. But two Pirate runs in the home fifth enacted the 10-run mercy rule. 

Winning pitcher Haelee Rayle hurled all five innings and scattered eight hits with three earned runs. She walked three and struck out two. 

At the plate, Rayle aided her own cause with two hits and three runs batted in. She also scored a run.

Bluffton senior Macy Schaadt slugged a triple, doubled and hit a single to pace the potent Pirate offense. She scored two runs and drove in one.

The Pirates out-hit OH, 16-8. Both teams played errorless defense.

Bluffton improved to 5-8 overall with the home victory. Struggling OH dropped to 1-7 after the defeat.

Pirate freshman second baseman Elana Navarro slapped three singles and had two RBI while also scoring a run.

Catcher Karleigh Davis swatted a double, singled, scored two runs and drove in one.

Peyton Worcester hit a single, while Boehm singled home a run. Cam Fruchey stroked an RB single and scored a run.

Pirate freshman third baseman Evelyn Boyles delivered an RBI single and scored two runs.

Right fielder Tala Gipson was hit by a pitch and scored once. Junior shortstop Greta Myers was also hit by a pitch and scored a run. Sterrett also singled home a run and scored once.

Losing pitcher Ella Gehling singled twice and drove in two runs for the Green Bears.

The Pirates left five runners on base, while OH stranded five as well.

First-place Bluffton (3-0 NWC) visits league rival Lima Central Catholic (2-8, 1-3 NWC) on Monday, April 27 at Faurot Park.

WP-Worcester   LP-Gehling 

2B-Davis (B), Schaadt (B)

3B-Schaadt (B)