By Cort Reynolds
DELPHOS __ The Bluffton High School softball team led early but lost 15-5 to Delphos Jefferson in a Northwest Conference battle Tuesday evening, April 30.
The Pirate girls dropped to 1-9 overall and 1-6 in the NWC after the loss.
The Wildcats improved to 10-10 overall and 3-4 in the NWC with the victory.
The game was switched from Bluffton to Delphos due to wet fields, but the Pirates were the home team.
DJ scored four runs in the top of the first to grab an early lead.
But Bluffton responded by scoring five runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. Three walks and a Danielle Cross two-run single ignited the inning for Bluffton. Another single by Lauren Bassett loaded the bases.
Faith Maple then singled two runs home to tie it, 4-4. Adanna Johnstone grounded out to shortstop to plate Bassett and provide a 5-4 edge.
However, the Pirates would not score again. Delphos scored two runs in the third inning to take a 6-5 advantage.
In the fourth inning, Jefferson started a huge eight-run rally with an error, an out, a single, walk, a double and a ground-out. A single and two fielding errors capped the decisive eight-run outburst.
DJ added a run in the fifth to invoke the 10-run rule.
Maple knocked out three hits and drove in two runs to help pace the Pirate offense. Cross knocked out two hits and drove in two runs.
Shortstop Fleece walked twice and scored a run. Bassett singled and scored. Catcher Karleigh Davis tallied a run.
Olivia Hobensack walked twice and scored a run.
The Pirate girls were out-hit, 15-5.
123 456 7 R H E
Bluf 500 00x x 5 6 2
DJ 402 81x x 15 15 5
WP-Brinkman LP-Rayle
