PHOTOS by Mark Andreasen. Click to enlarge and view at your own pace.

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School baseball team was victimized by two big innings as they lost to local rival Ada 9-3 in a non-league game on Tuesday evening, April 1. 

Neither team scored in the first three innings of what started out as a pitchers’ duel.

The Bulldogs then scored five runs in the fourth inning, and tallied four more in the fifth, to break open the scoreless battle and build a 9-0 cushion.

The Pirates plated two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh.

Bluffton dropped to 2-1 with the defeat. Ada improved to 1-1 after earning their first victory.

Pirate senior center fielder Landen Worcester and left fielder Blayne Hill each doubled for the game’s only extra-base hits. 

Second baseman Nathan Speicher and right fielder Brody Anderson singled to provide the other Bluffton hits.

Speicher, Worcester and Anderson scored a run apiece. Senior Luke Jebsen and Keaton Howbert each drew a walk.

Jake Weaver pitched the first three shutout innings for Bluffton before running into trouble in the fourth. He allowed two hits, three walks and five earned runs in the fourth frame to get the loss. Weaver struck out six.

Senior Howbert hurled the final four innings of relief. He gave up four runs on five hits and two walks. He whiffed five Bulldogs.

Bulldog sophomore Wes Mowery earned the pitching win as he hurled five innings of two-hit baseball. Mowery gave up one earned run, struck out three and walked two.

On offense Mowery singled, scored twice, walked once and drove in a run. 

Ada out-hit the Pirates 7-4 as the visitors scratched out seven singles. 

Bulldog sophomore third baseman Blake Zoladz collected two hits, scored two runs and stole a pair of bases. Ada sophomore catcher Allen singled, walked and stole a base.

Freshman second baseman Thad Smith stroked a two-run single. Ada junior Mason Wibley scored two runs and walked once. 

Bulldog sophomore relief pitcher Brody Rister collected a hit and a walk, scored a run, and had one RBI. He also pitched two innings of two-hit relief, allowing one run. He whiffed one Pirate and walked one.

Ada senior center fielder Kaine Fisher compiled a single, two runs, one RBI and a stolen base.

Ada left five runners on base, while Bluffton also stranded five. Both teams committed just one error.

The Pirates are scheduled to host three more non-league foes the rest of the week, weather permitting. North Baltimore (0-0) comes to town Thursday. 

Bluffton is slated to entertain Parkway (1-1) Friday, and then hosts Liberty-Benton (1-0) Saturday at noon.

The NWC opener is set for April 10 at home vs. traditional rival Allen East. The first eight Pirate games are at home.

WP-Mowery (1-0) LP-Weaver

2B-Hill (B), Worcester (B)