Sports

Photos by Mark Andreasen

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School softball team lost its home and season opener to unbeaten local rival Ada 12-1 on Tuesday, April 1.

The Bulldogs out-hit the Pirate girls 12-1 in the run-rule shortened, five-inning contest.

Ada improves to 3-0 with the non-league victory, while Bluffton starts out 0-1.  

Over five innings, Bulldog ace senior hurler Jenna Bassitt struck out six and walked none. She allowed just one hit and one earned run. 

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.

Click photos to enlarge and view at your own pace

Provided by Bluffton High School

Bluffton High School standout Ayla Grandey officially signed a national letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at John Carroll University on Monday, March 31 in the Bluffton High School Gym. Grandey will play women's basketball at JCU.

A multi-sport star at Bluffton, Grandey has left an indelible mark on the school's athletic program. She has achieved incredible milestones throughout her career, including scoring 1,000 career points in basketball and becoming Bluffton's all-time leading rebounder in girls basketball. 

In addition to her basketball achievements, Grandey also reached 1,000 kills in volleyball, further cementing her legacy as one of the most accomplished athletes in Bluffton history. 

Recently, she was recognized as a Division 5 All-State Basketball Player, a testament to her skill, dedication, and leadership on the court.

By Cort Reynolds

BATH – The visiting Bluffton High School boys tennis team swept Western Buckeye League foe Bath 5-0 in the season opener Monday evening, March 31.

After winning the first set in a tiebreaker, senior Branson Hilty took the first singles match 7-6 (7-0), 6-3.

Junior Nick Lovett captured his second singles match by a 6-0, 6-2 count.

Senior Jack Brauen won at third singles 6-1, 6-0.

The first doubles tandem of juniors Grady Coonfare and Isaiah Kohli won 6-2, 6-1.

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School baseball team convincingly swept a doubleheader from visiting rival Pandora-Gilboa, forging a strong season opener on Saturday, March 29.

The Pirates won the first game 16-6, then blasted the Rockets 24-0 in the nightcap. Both games went just five innings as they were shortened by the 10-run mercy rule.

Robby Taylor earned the pitching victory for Bluffton in game one. He hurled 2.1 innings of relief and allowed two hits and one earned run.

Jake Weaver drilled a double and a single, coaxed a walk and had two runs batted in. He also scored two runs. Keaton Howbert collected two hits, a walk, two stolen bases, two runs and two RBI.

Luke Jebsen hit two singles and scored two runs. Brody Anderson tallied a run and slapped a two-run single. Nolan Speicher drew four walks, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs.  MORE ▶︎

From BlufftonBeavers.com  The following results are from March 19-25 of the Bluffton University 2025 athletics season:

Otterbein hits walkoff homerun to down Baseball, 9-8

Baseball hits walkoff in split with Transy

Baseball drops two-game series at Anderson

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