By: Takayla Gadberry, sports information alumna

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Bluffton University baseball team fell to Heidelberg University, 12-5, during day three of their spring break games on March 5, 2024. The Beavers dropped to 1-3 on the season while Heidelberg improved to 6-2.

The Student Princes took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second before an Ezra Deitering (Ottawa/Miller City) safety plated Ayden Spriggs (North Lewisburg/Triad) to pull the Beavers within two (3-1). Seven unanswered runs for Heidelberg gave them a commanding 10-1 lead at the end of the sixth stanza.

Freshman Matthew Mitchell (Amelia/McNicholas), Tyler Fuller (Lewis Center/Orange) and Evan Houseman (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) all touched home in the seventh to cut Bluffton's deficit to five (10-5). Houseman had the big hit, an RBI two-bagger that picked up Mitchell. Deitering scored on a throwing error by the catcher in the top of the eighth, but it wasn't enough as Heidelberg held on for a 12-5 victory.

Houseman and Deitering powered the Beaver offense with four hits and one run apiece. Ben Eisenhauer (San Jose, Cal./Leigh) took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits in four innings of work. He walked two and struck out three. Senior Sean Brock (Wauseon) held The Berg to one run on three hits in 2.2 innings.

The Beavers will take the field on Tuesday, March 6, when they face off against Hiram at Fort Myers. First pitch is slated for noon. Go Beavers!

-BEAVERS-