March 17, 2018
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University baseball squad took to Memorial Field to face off against Wilmington College in their home opener on a frigid Saturday, March 17. The Beavers couldn't muster up much offense as they took a 1-0 loss in game one and a 3-1 setback in game two, dropping to 8-4 on the season.

Bluffton would have a chance in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with only one out. The Beavers were unable to score any runs though after an infield fly and a strikeout ended the threat. Both teams left a pair of runners on base in the fourth inning but neither team was able to capitalize.

After eight innings of scoreless ball, the Quakers finally broke through in the top of the ninth with an RBI single. Bluffton couldn't answer in the bottom of the inning as the Beavers took a 1-0 loss in the 2018 Memorial Field lidlifter.

Freshman LENNY WINIARSKI (Cincinnati/LaSalle) and junior COLIN GREGORY (Fremont/Clyde) each went 1-of-3 at the plate while sophomore ALEX LEMANSKI (Miamisburg) smacked the lone extra base hit for the Beavers. The home team finished with a slim edge in hits (6-5).

Tossing a beauty was BRANTLEY CURNUTTE (Hilliard/Davidson) who went 8.0 innings, allowing only three hits and no runs while fanning three batters. DANTE D'ANDREA (Westerville/North) took the loss as the junior gave up one run on two hits, dropping to 2-2 on the year.

After a 20-minute break, they were back on the field to face off against the Quakers in the second game of the afternoon. The teams were both scoreless for the first three innings but a run in the top of the fourth put Wilmington up 1-0.

Bluffton knotted the game up in the bottom of the fifth after a sacrifice fly by JEFF ARNETT (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) picked up REID MAUS (Hamilton/Badin). The visitors answered in the top of the sixth with two runs off a double which made it 3-1. Back-to-back scoreless innings for Bluffton sealed the outcome as the Quakers completed the sweep with a 3-1 victory.

Collecting only four hits as a team, Bluffton was led by JACOB LATKOFSKY (Temperance, Mich./Ida) who smacked a couple of singles in the contest. Reid Maus and REID RUHL (Hamilton) rounded out the offense for the Beavers with a hit apiece.

COLBY CLIFTON (Ohio City/Crestview) suffered his first loss as he fell to 1-1 on the season. Tossing the complete game, Clifton allowed three runs on five hits while striking out a pair of batters.

Next up for Bluffton is the second home double-header in as many days when Goshen comes to town on Sunday, March 18, with the first pitch set for 1 p.m. Come out and support your Beavers!

-BEAVERS-