By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School baseball team convincingly swept a doubleheader from visiting rival Pandora-Gilboa, forging a strong season opener on Saturday, March 29.

The Pirates won the first game 16-6, then blasted the Rockets 24-0 in the nightcap. Both games went just five innings as they were shortened by the 10-run mercy rule.

Robby Taylor earned the pitching victory for Bluffton in game one. He hurled 2.1 innings of relief and allowed two hits and one earned run.

Jake Weaver drilled a double and a single, coaxed a walk and had two runs batted in. He also scored two runs. Keaton Howbert collected two hits, a walk, two stolen bases, two runs and two RBI.

Luke Jebsen hit two singles and scored two runs. Brody Anderson tallied a run and slapped a two-run single. Nolan Speicher drew four walks, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs.  MORE ▶︎

P-G’s Grady Kempf hit a double and two singles to drive in three runs for the Rockets.

In the nightcap, Howbert hurled 4.1 innings of scoreless baseball as the Pirates romped in a five-inning shutout. He struck out six Rockets and allowed just one hit and no runs.

Landen Worcester smacked two doubles and a single, and amassed six RBI with two doubles. Worcester also scored two runs.

Jake Weaver swatted a double and a single. He drove in two runs and scored twice. Luke Jebsen doubled in two runs, scored three times and swiped two bases. 

Bluffton hosts local rival Ada Tuesday, April 1. The Pirates entertain North Baltimore Thursday, April 3. Parkway comes to town Friday, and Bluffton completes a four-game homestand this week Saturday vs. Liberty-Benton.