By Cort Reynolds

COLUMBUS GROVE – The visiting Bluffton girls softball team blasted Northwest Conference rival Columbus Grove 24-9 Thursday evening, May 8.

The Pirate girls scored six runs in the first inning to build an early lead. They then led 8-4 after four frames.

Bluffton poured it on with four runs in the fifth, five in the sixth and seven in their last at bat in the seventh.

The Pirate girls improved to 3-11 overall and 2-4 in the NWC with the win behind their biggest offensive output of the season. CG fell to 3-14 and 0-7 in NWC play after the blowout loss.

Bluffton out-hit the Bulldogs, 15-9. The Pirates also drew 13 walks to help overcome seven errors, compared to two miscues by Grove. CG coaxed five walks.

The Bulldogs rapped four doubles, while the Pirates smacked a pair of two-baggers and a home run.

Macy Schaadt slugged a home run, hit two singles, scored four runs and drove in three to pace the Pirate attack. She was hit by a pitch twice.

Karleigh Davis singled three times and scored two runs while also driving in two runs. Adelyn Althaus hit a double, singled and drove in a career-high six runs. She also scored twice.

Danielle Cross drew three walks, scored three runs and had three runs batted in. Greta Meyer coaxed four walks, hit a single, scored five times and drove in a run. She was also hit by a pitch two times.

Jessa Swank knocked in two runs with a hit and two walks, and scored twice. Emma Green collected two hits, scored twice and had one RBI.

Camryn Fruchey singled, scored a run and drove in one run. Fruchey drew a pair of walks.

Peyton Worcester doubled home a run, walked twice and scored two runs.

Worcester hurled all seven innings and scattered nine hits to allow six earned runs with five walks. She struck out six to earn the pitching victory with a complete game effort.

CG stranded five runners, while the Pirates left 11 on base.

        123     456     7       R       H       E
Blu     602     045     7       24      15      7
CG      103     031     1       9       9       2

WP-Worcester    LP-Dunn
2B-Worcester (B), Althaus (B), Hoffman (CG), Heffner (CG), Hoover (CG), Birnesser (CG)
HR-Schaadt (B)