Lady Pirates blast Wildcats, win NWC opener
By Cort Reynolds
DELPHOS - The visiting Bluffton softball team mustered a season-best offensive outburst to win its Northwest Conference opener handily 19-7 over Delphos Jefferson Thursday evening.
Bluffton improved to 1-5 overall and 1-0 in the NWC with their first win. Meanwhile, Delphos Jefferson dropped to 1-8 and 0-1 in NWC play with the lopsided loss.
The Wildcat girls led 4-0 after the first inning, but Bluffton tied it up with four runs in the top of the second frame. Kennedi Jordan (three-run homer) and Riley Busch slammed back-to-back home runs to account for the four-run rally.
The Pirates went ahead for good with a run in the third, 5-4. They extended the lead with two runs in each of the fourth and fifth frames, then tacked on three more runs in the sixth to lead by eight.
After going scoreless for four innings, DJ scored three times in the home half of the sixth to edge within 12-7.
But the Pirate girls put the game well out of reach with a seven-run output in the top of the seventh.
Lauren Swartzlander cracked a double and three singles with one RBI to help pace the Lady Pirate onslaught.
Busch legged out a triple, while Jordan drilled a double to go with her three-run blast. Sophie Bricker contributed two hits and a pair of runs batted in. Dyllan Worcester added two hits.
Rebekah Hoff collected two hits and a run batted in. Jasmine Whitlow also knocked out two hits and had an RBI. Ashley Fleece amassed two RBI on one hit.
Pirate pitcher Grace Myers earned her first win of the season.
Bluffton out-hit DJ with a season-high total of 21 hits to 10 by DJ. Six of the Pirate hits went for extra bases.
Wildcat Anna Fitch smacked four hits and drove in two runs to lead the DJ offense. Sisters Rileigh and Avery Rahrig each added two base hits.
123 456 7 R H E
Blf 041 223 7 19 21 1
DJ 400 003 0 7 10 6
WP-Myers (1-4) LP-K. Schroeder
2B-Swartzlander (B), Jordan (B), Whitlow (B)
3B-Busch (B)
HR-Jordan (B), Busch (B)
The Lady Pirates are slated to visit Liberty-Benton (3-4) in a non-league twinbill Saturday, April 10.
Bluffton then resumes NWC play Monday, April 12 by hosting local rival Ada (2-2, 0-1 NWC). The Bulldog girls lost their league lidlifter 9-8 in extra innings to Columbus Grove Thursday.
Stories Posted This Week
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Tornado Watch issued for Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties at 9:15 p.m. on April 2
- Flood Warning issued for Allen County at 11:03 a.m.
- Pirate tennis loss at Elida
- Pirate softball loses opener to Ada
- Pirate baseball falls to Ada
- Allen County will not test warning sirens on April 2
- March 2025 land transfers in the Bluffton Exempted Village School District
- April 22 crash report shows driver hit N. Dixie home
- Bluffton High School Honor Roll announced for 3rd quarter of 2024-2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
- Obituary for Betty C. Mumaugh
- Leo Club supports Bluffton Clean Up
- Wind, rain and potential flooding for April 2
- Grandey to major in education, play basketball at John Carroll
- Pirate tennis blanks Bath
- Pirate baseball sweeps opening twin bill vs. Pandora-Gilboa
- “I Have Not Forsaken the Word of God” reader's theater, April 13
- Easter Cantata performed on April 13 in Pandora
Monday, March 31, 2025
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025
- Bluffton Public Library’s April 2025 programs and services
- Joseph “Joe” Ropp Davies worked for University of Findlay
- Hillville Road bridge maintenance on April 1
- Lift access added to Bluffton Senior Center back entrance
- Register for fear of falling workshop
- Florence to explain advanced sports stats at student forum