By Tim Stried
April 15, 2002

Senior BRAD BUCKINGHAM (Geneva, Ind./South Adams H.S.) became the new career base hits record holder at Bluffton College on Monday as BC knocked off Manchester College 11-6 at Sears Field. With two hits in the game, Buckingham's career base hit total now stands at 154, topping the previous record of 153 held by 1990 BC graduate Matt Henderson (Elyria/Catholic H.S.).

Buckingham tied the record with a grand slam in the second inning, then broke the record with a single down the right field line in the fourth inning.

Buckingham collected 42 hits as a freshman, 32 as a sophomore, 47 as a junior and how has 33 in his senior season. He has been an honorable mention All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference selection each of his previous three seasons and was named Bluffton's offensive and defensive MVP as a freshman and senior.

Sophomore BOB HEITKAMP (Ft. Recovery) clubbed a three-run homer in the third inning and junior WES HALL (Bellefontaine/Indian Lake H.S.) collected his third win of the season on the mound, pitching all seven innings, striking out five.

Manchester (18-7, 8-4 HCAC) won the first game of the double-header 20-6.

Bluffton (7-18, 4-8 HCAC) will return to action on Tuesday against Ohio Northern University at Sears Field at 4 p.m.

-BEAVERS-