By: Evan Miller, sports information assistant
April 24, 2009
LEXINGTON, Kentucky - The Bluffton University baseball team got off to a hot start as the Beavers put up four runs in the first inning at Transylvania University on April 24, 2009. With the win, Bluffton's fourth in the last seven contests, the Beavers improved to 12-20 overall and 6-11 in the Heartland Conference, while Transy fell to 17-13 overall and 7-10 in the HCAC.
Senior Chris Bauman (Milford) ignited the Beavers' rally with a one out double to center field. He was able to score on a Cody McPherson (Northwood Lake) single to left field, giving Bluffton their first run of the day.
Curtis Schroeder (Shelby) added to his Bluffton career record as he was hit by a pitch. Brett Howard Toledo/St. Francis) stepped to the plate with McPherson and Schroeder on base and he drove a pitch over the left field fence, giving Bluffton a 4-0 lead after their first at bat.
Bluffton's starter James Hausman (Milford) got off to a good start in the game as he retired the Pioneers in the first inning without giving up a run. Transy threatened, but the Pioneers were unable to get a run across the plate.
Bluffton led 4-2 heading into the fourth inning, but Transylvania got to Hausman for their first lead of the game. The inning started off with a solo home run by Ben Young. Drew Zuckerman followed the long ball with a single.
Zuckerman scored on a triple by Ryan Troehler. Thomas Tolliver picked up an RBI, scoring Troehler from third on a ground out to second base. The rally by Transy stalled as Hausman set down the next two Pioneers, ending the fourth with Bluffton trailing 5-4.
The Beavers reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth. While the first two Bluffton hitters went down to start the inning, the team rallied on two for three runs in the inning. Cody McPherson once again lit the Bluffton offense, this time with a rip up the middle and theft of second base. After a Schroeder walk, Corey Conn (London) drove in McPherson with a single to center field. Mike Ramthun (Springfield/Southeastern) laced a single to center with the bases loaded, scoring Schroeder and Conn. Bluffton ended the frame with a 7-5 lead that they would not give back.
For the rest of the game, the Beavers and Pioneers each plated three runs, giving Bluffton the 10-8 victory. The Bluffton runs in the eighth inning would come via a two-run homer by Cody McPherson, and in the ninth Cory Stephens (Lima/Bath) doubled home Stephen Torres (Lima/Juan Diego) from first base.
Bluffton scored 10 runs on 10 hits, while making two errors. The Pioneers scored eight runs on 13 hits. James Hausman pitched 6.1 innings, giving up six runs on nine hits. Hausman walked two and struck out two. His record improved to 2-1 on the season. Tyler Stephenson (Springfield/Northeastern) pitched 2.2 innings and picked up his fourth save. He struck out three and did not issue a walk.
Offensively for Bluffton, McPherson was 3-of-5 at the plate with a homer, three runs and three RBI. Ramthun went 2-of-4 and drove in two runs while Howard knocked in three with his first inning bomb.
Adam Wilkins started the game for Transy. Wilkins was touched up for seven runs in six innings of work. Troehler had a 3-of-4 day at the plate, getting two RBI and scoring a run.
The Beavers will continue their three-game set at Transylvania on Saturday, April 25. The first contest is slated for 12 p.m.
-BEAVERS-