Big innings, errors haunt Starfires

BLUFFTON — South Adams High School’s softball team fell victim to a couple of big innings in a loss to Bluffton on April 23.
With the season on the line Wednesday and a chance to play for a sectional championship, the host Tigers repeated history.
Bluffton broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the third inning, and added seven more in the fifth for an 11-1, five-inning victory over the Starfires in the Class 2A sectional semifinal.
The Tigers advance to the sectional title game at 5:30 p.m. tonight against Eastside, which lost in the 2014 semi-state championship to eventual state runner-up Southmont.
Maddie Morgan scored in the top of the first inning to put South Adams (14-15) on the board, but the Tigers answered with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame.
Bluffton plated three runs in the third for a 4-1 lead, and took advantage of four South Adams errors in the fifth for its seven-run output.
Loren Sparks tallied the Starfires’ only hit, a single in the first inning.
Morgan Alberson and Maddie Morgan each drew a walk.
Alberson took the loss, allowing eight runs — five earned — while scattering four hits. She struck out six and walked three in four innings.
Aries Petty earned the win for the Tigers. She gave up one unearned run, struck out four and walked two in five innings.

Berne edges Fisher
First Bank of Berne eked out a 9-8 victory against Fisher Meats on Wednesday during Minor softball action of Portland Junior League.
Rieley Brewster led Fisher with a pair of home runs, and added a single.
Emma Swingley and Grace Brewster had two singles apiece.