By Cort Reynolds

VAN WERT__The visiting Bluffton High School girls softball team lost 9-0 to Northwest Conference rival Lincolnview on Thursday evening, May 1.

The league-leading Lancer girls plated four runs in both the first and third innings to put the game out of reach early.

The Pirate girls dropped to 2-9 overall and 1-4 in the NWC with the loss. Lincolnview improved to 16-3 overall and 5-0 in the NWC after the shutout win. The Lancers are tied atop the NWC standings with Delphos Jefferson.  

Bluffton was out-hit by the Lancers 13-2, who drilled two doubles, a triple and a home run. 

Karleigh Davis singled, drew a walk and stole a base for Bluffton. Camryn Fruchey collected the other Pirate hit. Emma Green also walked once.

Bluffton starter Haelee Rayle hurled the first three innings, giving up 11hits and five earned runs to get the loss.  

Pirate Peyton Worcester relieved her and pitched three innings of shutout softball. She allowed two hits and six runs while walking one and striking out six.

Lancer hurler Emma Bowersock pitched a seven-inning shutout. 

She allowed just two hits and two walks, while striking out 11.

Standout Lancer freshman Ila Hughes homered, singled and drove in three runs. Ashlyn Price smacked a triple and three singles. She scored twice and drove in a pair of runs. 

Lainey Spear doubled, hit a single and scored once.  

The Pirates stranded four runners, while the Lancers left seven on base.

123 456 7 R H E

Blu 000 000 0 0 2 1

Lvw 414 000 x 9 13 0

WP-Bowersock LP-Rayle

2B-Miller (L), Spear (L)

3B-Price (L)

HR-Hughes (L)