By Cort Reynolds

SWANTON__The visiting Bluffton High School softball team lost 12-1 at Swanton in a Div. V Northwest 2 sectional final matchup on Wednesday, May 13.

The second-seeded Bulldogs led just 1-0 after two innings, then plated five runs in the home half of the third to break the game open.

The Pirate girls scored their lone run in the top of the fourth frame when senior outfielder Macy Schaadt swatted a solo home run. The blast cut the deficit to 6-1.

Swanton answered with a six-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth to build a commanding 11-run cushion.

The Bulldogs shut out Bluffton in the top of the fifth frame to invoke the 10-run mercy rule.

“We had a great season, met some of our goals we set,” said Pirate head coach Brad Prater. “We had an up-and-down season but we are very young, so I am looking forward to the future.”

Sophomore Pirate pitcher Peyton Worcester hurled all four innings to suffer the loss. She allowed 12 hits and seven earned runs. She struck out seven and walked three. 

Worcester also smacked a double for the second Pirate extra-base hit.

The Pirates knocked out seven hits and drew one walk, while the Bulldogs collected 10 hits and made no errors. Swanton took advantage of three Pirate errors to score five unearned runs.

Bluffton finished its season 8-12 after the defeat. The Pirates ended up 4-3 in the Northwest Conference to tie for second with Crestview in the eight-team league.

State-ranked power Lincolnview won the NWC by three games with an unbeaten 7-0 mark.

Swanton improved to 23-3 with the win. The Bulldogs advanced to face third seed Paulding (13-5) on Tuesday, May 19 at 4:30 p.m. in the district semifinals at Napoleon.

Bulldog sophomore Beyla Remer earned the pitching win. She scattered seven hits over five innings and allowed just one earned run. She struck out six and walked one.

At the plate Remer tripled, hit a single, scored two runs and drove in two teammates.

Swanton senior Jordyn Ramirez launched a three-run home run.

Bulldog Alexa Faber stroked a double, singled, batted in two runs and scored twice. Cara Ludlow and Carli LaGrange each collected two RBI.

Bulldog Kendall Glonek singled, scored two runs and swiped two bases.

Seven different Pirates slapped one hit apiece.

Schaadt homered to provide the lone run and RBI of the game for Bluffton. She also drew the only walk. Worcester doubled.

Senior catcher Karleigh Davis, freshman Evelyn Boyles, junior shortstop Greta Myers, sophomore Cam Fruchey and junior Haelee Rayle each contributed a single.

Seniors Schaadt and Davis played their final Pirate games. Bluffton returns eight starters for next season, as well as two other key underclass players.

WP-Remer LP-Worcester    

2B-Worcester (B), Faber (S)

3B-Remer (S)

HR-Ramirez (S)