By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School baseball team lost 11-1 to visiting Columbus Grove in a Northwest Conference game at Village Park on Thursday, May 7.

The Bulldogs jumped 5-0 after the top of the first inning and never trailed. Both teams scored a run in the third frame.

CG then scored three runs in the fourth inning to surge ahead, 9-1. Grove plated two more runs in the sixth to lead 11-1 and enact the 10-run mercy rule

Grove out-hit Bluffton 7-5, and each team committed one error.

Bluffton fell to 2-9-1 overall and 1-5 in the NWC with the defeat. 

CG improved to 12-5 and 4-2 in NWC play after the decisive road win.

Bluffton is slated to play at non-league foe Upper Scioto Valley (5-10) on Friday. 

The Pirates then visit NWC rival Spencerville (7-8, 2-4 NWC) Saturday at noon. The Bearcats lost 9-2 at tough Allen East (13-5, 4-2 NWC) on Thursday.