By Cort Reynolds

FINDLAY–The visiting Bluffton High School softball team split a non-league doubleheader vs. Liberty-Benton Saturday afternoon, April 8.

The Pirates improved to 4-4 after the twinbill, while L-B ran its record to 3-5.

Bluffton won the opener, 11-5. The Eagles rebounded to take the nightcap, 13-2.

In the lidlifter, the Pirates jumped ahead 6-1 with two runs in the first frame and four more scores in the second.

A five-run Bluffton fourth inning extended their lead to a healthy 11-2 margin. L-B chipped away with three late runs, but came up well short.

Bluffton out-hit L-B, 18-11. 

Hannah Davis hit and pitched the Pirates to victory. She collected three hits, four runs batted in and one run at the plate. 

Davis also struck out 10 Eagles in seven innings. She scattered 11 hits, walked one and allowed five earned runs.

Ashley Fleece knocked out four hits and stole a whopping eight bases to lead a potent running game.

Olivia Hobensack smacked a double and a single, scored a run and batted in two runs.

Vanessa Cross and Dyllan Worcester each had two hits and scored one run. Worcester added two of the 18 Pirate stolen bases.

Lauren Bassett cracked a triple and a single, scored two runs and drove in  one. 

Pirates Aubrey Edwards  and Adanna Johnstone both hit a single and scored one run. Olivia Matthews added a hit and one run.

Liberty played error-less softball, while Bluffton committed three miscues.

The Pirates left eight runners on base, while the Eagles stranded 10.

Bluffton plays its NWC opener at Delphos Jefferson (3-2, 1-0 NWC) Monday. 

The Pirates host McComb (0-3) Tuesday, then entertain unbeaten league rival Ada (7-0, 1-0 NWC) Thursday.

BLUF            240 500 0 – 11 18 3

LB                 101 020 1 -- 5  11 0

LOB--BLUFFTON 8, L-B 10. 

ERR--Lauren Bassett, Hannah Davis, Olivia Hobensack. 

2B--Olivia Hobensack, Chole Dorn, Kate Eroeljac. 

3B--Lauren Bassett, Kylie Steinman. 

HBP—Lauren Bassett, Sydney Rutez, Izzy Jolliff. SACB--Hayden Gillic,

Izzy Jolliff, Kate Eroeljac, Kenzie Walkez. 

SB—Lauren Bassett (3), Dyllan Worcester (2), Ashley Fleece (8), Aubrey

Edwards, Olivia Hobensack, Adanna Johnstone (2), Olivia

Matthews, Chole Dorn (3), Hayden Gillic, Kate Eroeljac (3).

 BLUFFTON                  IP    H    R   ER   BB  SO   

Hannah Davis              7.0   11    5    5      1    10    

 L-B                         

Lexi Ebert                     7.0   18   11   11    1    6    

PB--Addi Businger. WP--Hannah Davis (2), Lexi Ebert (3).

BB—Adanna Johnstone, Kenzie Walkez.