By Cort Reynolds
The Pirate baseball story is a below the softball story.
CONVOY - Host Crestview defeated Bluffton 13-6 in an offensively high-powered Northwest Conference softball matchup Thursday evening.

Bluffton fell to 2-8 and 1-2 in league play after the defeat. The first-place Lady Knights improved to 11-2 overall and 3-0 in the NWC with the victory. 

The Lady Pirates led 3-2 following their first two times up at bat. Crestview edged ahead 5-3 after three frames, yet Bluffton regained a 6-5 advantage with three runs in the top of the fourth.

In the home fourth, Crestview seized the lead for good as they  tallied three runs. The Knights then added five more runs in the fifth inning to put the game out of reach.

The hosts held the Pirate girls scoreless over the final three frames while plating eight runs themselves to pull off the victory.

The Knight girls knocked out nine extra-base hits among their 16 safeties, including three home runs, to power their way to the win.   

Bluffton's nine-hit attack was led by three singles from Sophie Bricker. Kennedy Jordan collected two hits and two runs batted in.

Pirate Riley Busch doubled home two runs, while Ashley Fleece contributed an RBI double.

Losing pitcher Hannah Davis slammed a solo home run for the Pirates.

Crestview's Olivia Heckler scattered nine hits over seven innings to earn the pitching win. She struck out four and allowed two earned runs.

Bailey Gregory smashed two home runs and a double to lead the Knight offensive onslaught. She collected four RBI and scored three runs.

Katelyn Castle drilled two doubles, hit a single and drove in four runs. Kali Small hit a triple, singled twice, scored three times and had one RBI.

Laci McCoy hit two doubles, singled once and scored three runs. Breena Grace walloped a home run, singled and scored three times. Mandy Macki added a single and two RBI.

    123    456    7    R    H    E    
Blu    210    300    0    6    9    2        
Cvw    113    350    x    13    16    4
WP-Heckler        LP-Davis (0-2)        
2B-Busch (B), Fleece (B), B. Gregory (C), Castle 2 (C), McCoy 2 (C)
3B-Small (C)    
HR-Davis (B), B. Gregory 2 (C), Grace (C)

Bluffton plays at Miller City (4-5) in a non-league game Friday.

The Pirate girls then resume NWC play by hosting tough Paulding (8-2, 1-1 NWC) Monday, April 19. The Lady Panthers shut out Columbus Grove 9-0 Thursday.

Pirate baseball

CONVOY - The host Crestview baseball team run-ruled Bluffton 12-1 Thursday evening in Northwest Conference play.

Bluffton dropped to 0-9 (0-3 NWC) with the five-inning defeat. The Knights improved their record to 6-3 overall and 1-2 in the NWC with the win. 

Bluffton plays at non-conference foe Miller City (7-2) Friday.

The Pirates return to league play Monday, April 19 at home vs. Paulding (6-4, 2-1 NWC). The Panthers whipped Columbus Grove 9-2 Thursday.