By: Brandy Bidlack, sports information assistant
March 6, 2009
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Bluffton University baseball team faced head coach James Grandey's alma mater, Muskingum College, and defeated the Muskies, 7-6, on Friday, March 6, in the Snowbird Classic. The Beavers improved to .500, 4-4, while Muskingum fell to 4-4.
In the bottom of the third inning, senior Corey Conn (London) ripped a double to right center. Conn then scored following a Cody McPherson (Northwood/Millbury Lake) double to left field, which tied the game at one.
Bluffton took control in the seventh inning by scoring four runs off three hits. McPherson singled and moved to second when Tyler Stephenson (Springfield/Northwestern) reached on a Muskie fielding error. A single by Curtis Schroeder (Shelby) loaded the bases before a wild pitch allowed McPherson to cross the plate.
Mike Ramthun (Springfield/Southeastern) then slammed a two-RBI single to left field. After stealing second and advancing to third on David Riddle's (Loveland/Milford) groundout, another wild pitch gave Ramthun the green light to touch the plate for the fourth run of the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, freshman infielder Aaron Koonce (Toledo/Start) hit a single down the right field line. A wild pitch and passed ball put Koonce on third before a McPherson hit brought Koonce home. After reaching first on a fielder's choice and moving to second on McPherson's rip, Conn scored on Stephenson's single up the middle, giving the Beavers the 7-6 victory over the Muskies.
McPherson started the contest and gave up seven hits and five runs while generating five strikeouts. Stephenson limited Muskingum to two hits and a run, while Conn fanned one batter in relief.
Cody McPherson led the Bluffton offense, going 4-for-4 today with two RBI and one run scored. Mike Ramthun also had two hits and a run, while teammate Corey Conn crossed the plate twice in the contest.
The Beavers returned to action less than an hour after the Muskingum game finished to face 5th ranked Heidelberg. The 'Berg racked up all five of their runs before the Beavers made a mark on the scoreboard. After being hit by a pitch and stealing second, Stephen Torres (Lima/Juan Diego) moved to third on Curtis Schroeder's (Shelby) single down the right field line in the seventh inning. Torres came home on a single through the left side by freshman outfielder Greg Bergstedt (Napoleon/Patrick Henry).
Corey Conn poked a double down the left field line in the following inning. A Cody McPherson rip allowed Conn to slide across the plate for the second Bluffton run, but Heidelberg held on for the 5-2 win.
The Student Princes tallied eight hits and all five of their runs off Beavers' starter Ryan Leugers (Botkins). Leugers had two strikeouts for Bluffton, while Brennan Bauman (Milford) added three Ks in the loss.
Both Cody McPherson and Curtis Schroeder went 2-for-4 in the contest, while McPherson and Greg Bergstedt each had one RBI.
The Beavers return to action on Saturday, March 7, when they finish their trek in the Snowbird Classic against the John Jay Bloodhounds. The game is slated for 9 a.m. at the North Park in Port Charlotte, Florida.