By Cort Reynolds

PANDORA__A huge first inning outburst led the visiting Bluffton High School girls softball team to an 18-4 shellacking of local non-league rival Pandora-Gilboa in the season opener on a warm evening Monday, March 30.

The Pirate girls pushed across a whopping total of 11 runs in the first inning to start their campaign off strongly. They scored two runs in the second, plated one in the fourth and added four tallies in the fifth to invoke the 10-run mercy rule.

Bluffton improves to 1-0 with the decisive win, while P-G is 0-2 after the defeat. The potent Pirate offense knocked out 16 hits and drew 10 walks. The defense also played error-less softball.

“We need to clean up our defense some and have more urgency swinging the bat, but overall I was happy with our first game,” said Pirate head coach Brad Prater. “Boyles and Navarro are freshmen and played well once the nerves wore off.”

Pirate senior left fielder Macy Schaadt slugged a triple, double and a single to drive in three runs, and she also scored twice.

Leadoff batter senior Karleigh Davis rapped out three hits, scored three runs and drove in one.

Third sacker Evelyn Boyles doubled and drove home four runs in her debut. Second baseman Elana Navarro smacked two hits, scored twice and had one RBI. Right fielder Tala Gipson singled twice, scored a pair of runs and had two RBI.

Camryn Fruchey singled twice, drew a walk, scored two runs and collected two RBI.

Pirate sophomore Peyton Worcester started and pitched two scoreless innings. She recorded five strikeouts and walked three. 

Junior Haelee Rayle hurled the final three frames to secure the win. She struck out four and gave up four runs on eight hits.

The Pirates play at unbeaten local non-league rival Ada (4-0) on Tuesday, March 31. The Bulldogs beat Hardin Northern 10-6 Monday.

“Ada is usually pretty solid, so it will be a good game to really see what areas we need to improve on,” said Prater.

WP-Rayle LP-Benton

2B-Boyles (B), Schaadt (B), Benton (PG)

3B-Schaadt (B)