By Cort Reynolds

MOUNT BLANCHARD__The visiting Bluffton High School baseball team built a big early lead then added on late to stave off a rally and beat non-conference foe Riverdale 11-7 on a cool Tuesday, April 28.

The Pirates jumped ahead with three runs in the top of the first inning. They plated two runs in the third, and tacked on one in the fourth to build a 6-0 margin.

Riverdale scored three runs in the fourth, but the Pirates surged back ahead with three runs in the top of the sixth.

The Falcons answered with a four-run rally in the home sixth to inch within 9-7. Yet Bluffton added two insurance runs in the seventh to win by four.

The Pirates out-hit the host 10-8 and capitalized on seven errors to score six unearned runs. The Bluffton defense made four miscues.

Bluffton improved to 2-6-1 overall with the victory.

Riverdale dropped to 5-11 after the defeat.  

The Pirates lost to a visiting 6-4 Genoa Area squad by a 14-1 count in six innings on Saturday, April 25.

Bluffton’s scheduled home game vs. Ridgemont last Friday was cancelled due to a lack of umpires. Monday’s Northwest Conference game at LCC was also suspended by rain in the second inning with the score tied at 0-0. 

Bluffton (1-2 NWC) resumes conference play on Thursday at home vs. league leader Lincolnview (9-2, 3-0 NWC).

The Pirates host a twinbill vs. struggling Arlington (2-10) on Saturday.