May 1, 2007
BLUFFTON, Ohio - In a game shortened to six innings due to lightning and impending inclement weather, the Bluffton University baseball team racked up 14 hits in an 11-3 victory over local rival Defiance College on a windy and humid Tuesday, May 1, 2007. Prior to the start of the contest, Bluffton University President Dr. James Harder announced plans for field modifications at the newly christened Bluffton University Memorial Field during a ceremony in which Bluffton recognized those who have contributed to the Memorial Fund.
The Yellow Jackets picked up where they left off on Sunday and jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first half inning of play. LENNY KOESTERS singled up the middle to open the game. With Koesters and LETROY HARRIS in scoring position, JEREMY HAWKINS picked up two RBI on his infield single. The Beavers closed the door with a double play and strikeout to keep the damage to a minimum.
In the home half of the first, Bluffton rallied for three runs to take a 3-2 lead after one inning. TONY MOORE (Elida/Elida) doubled down the right field line and he came around to score on CODY MCPERSON'S single through the right side. Following a fielder's choice, CURTIS SCHROEDER (Shelby/Shelby) doubled to right center, plating TIM KAY (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity) who had swiped second base. Schroeder scored when Defiance could not handle JIMMY MCMONAGLE'S (Ida, Mich./Ida) shot to first.
First baseman STEVE ROBERTS (West Salem/Mapleton) doubled to right center to open the second. Two outs later, Moore ripped an RBI single through the right side for a 4-2 lead.
Kay, who continued to scorch opposing pitching, singled down the right field line in the third. He stole his second base of the game and moved to third on Schroeder's groundout to second base. COREY CONN'S (London/London) base hit to right scored Kay and the Beavers held a 5-2 lead after three innings.
DAVID JACKSON belted a Kay offering over the right center field fence in the top of the fourth to cut the deficit to two runs, 5-3.
The floodgates finally opened for the Beavers in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bluffton sent 11 batters to the plate in an inning that produced six runs. Schroeder tripled down the right field line to start the fireworks. McMonagle walked and Conn singled home Schroeder, putting runners on first and second for Roberts. The Yellow Jackets misplayed his bunt, loading the bases for freshman CHRIS WURM (Bucyrus/Bucyrus). His single through the left side drove in McMonagle and Conn. RYAN BAIGHTEL (Wapakoneta/Wapakoneta) was hit by a pitch, again filling the sacks. McPherson followed Moore's sacrifice fly to center with an RBI single before Kay's double plated Baightel. Defiance induced an inning-ending double play to get out of the fifth.
Kay continued to cruise on the mound as he allowed only four baserunners over the final five innings. Following the sixth inning, the first flash of lightning was spotted and 30 minutes later the game was called when it persisted with daylight rapidly slipping away.
The Beavers pounded out 14 hits in only 30 at-bats. McPherson went 3-for-4 with two RBI. Kay Schroeder and Moore all finished with two hits with Kay, Schroeder and Roberts crossing the plate two times each. Conn, Wurm, Moore and McPherson drove in two runs apiece in the victory.
Junior hurler Tim Kay improved to 2-3 on the year with his six-inning complete game. He held Defiance to three runs, one earned, on only four hits with four strikeouts.
Bluffton will wrap up its 2007 season when it travels to Lexington, Ky., this weekend for a three-game series at Transylvania. The Beavers open with a nine-inning contest against their HCAC rival on Friday, May 4, at 4 p.m.
-BEAVERS-