By Ben Risinger, SID
March 9, 2004 

The Bluffton College baseball team (2-6) participated in the Eastern Mennonite Spring Classic in Sarasota , Florida over spring break. The Beavers picked up a doubleheader win over Goshen College for their two victories so far this season. Bluffton placed fourth in the tourney with Tony Gerig, Ryan Fiely and Scott VanEman making the all-tournament squad. This week the Beavers will be back in action on Wednesday for a single game at Otterbein. On Saturday Bluffton will host their 2004 home opener with a doubleheader against Otterbein.

"We didn't finish how we wanted to, but we have a lot of things to build on because we were in every game and had a chance to win every game," head coach James Grandey said. "The team has confidence in themselves and each other heading home for Ohio .

Leading the Beavers in hitting after one week is junior Ryan Fiely (Greenville/Greenville Sr.) with a .433 batting average. Fiely posts 13 hits, two doubles, four home runs, 10 RBI's and six runs scored. Senior Scott VanEman (Elida/Elida) follows close behind with a .400 average. VanEman posts 10 hits and one RBI for the Beavers. Sophomore Tony Gerig (West Unity/Hilltop) is hitting .333 with seven hits and 3 RBI's. 

Senior Ryan Whitaker (Hicksville/Hicksville) currently posts the best ERA for the Beavers on the mound at 1.93. Whitaker has thrown 11 strikeouts in 9.1 innings pitched, giving up six runs.Randy Miller (Willard/Willard) and Josh Underwood (Bluffton/Cory-Rawson) have picked up the two wins for Bluffton against Goshen College . Underwood currently leads Bluffton in strikeouts with 12 for the season.

EMU SPRING CLASSIC FINAL STANDINGS 
1. Goshen College

2. Southern Virginia

3. Eastern Mennonite

4. Bluffton College 

SCORES FROM THE EMU SPRING CLASSIC

Monday, March 1 
Southern Virginia 7, Bluffton 5

Goshen 7, Eastern Mennonite

Tuesday, March 2
Southern Virginia 14, Eastern Mennonite 4

Eastern Mennonite 13, Southern Virginia 10

Bluffton 8, Goshen 6

Bluffton 6, Goshen 1
Wednesday, March 3
Goshen 14, Eastern Mennonite 4

Southern Virginia 16, Bluffton 15

Thursday, March 4
Southern Virginia 15, Goshen 5

Goshen 16, Southern Virginia 12

Eastern Mennonite 3, Bluffton 2

Eastern Mennonite 6, Bluffton 3
Friday, March 5 
Goshen 3, Bluffton 0
Goshen 7, Bluffton 5
Goshen 10, Eastern Mennonite 8