May 4, 2007

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Bluffton University baseball team opened its final three-game series of the year with an 11-0 loss at Transylvania on Friday, May 4, 2007, finishing just before the rain cut loose. The Beavers fell to 5-17, 4-13 in the HCAC while the Pioneers improved to 27-10, with a 14-6 mark in the Heartland Conference.

In a game where the Beavers never had more than one baserunner on in any inning, Transylvania scored all it would need thanks to three Bluffton errors in the second inning. The Pioneers plated two unearned scores in the second and never looked back.

With one out in the bottom of the third, BLAKELY doubled to left. Two hit batters and a VASSEsingle to center later, LAWSON drove home Vasse and MOSER with his two-bagger down the left field line. BAUMAN plated CLARK giving Transylvania an 8-0 lead after only three innings.

TYLER SPRUNGER (Berne, Ind./South Adams) came on for JAMES HAUSMAN(Milford/Milford) following a leadoff walk to Blakely in the fourth and he held the Pioneers to no runs on only one single in four stellar innings of work on the hill. He walked two batters and struck out one while keeping Transy off the scoreboard.

The Pioneers tacked on three insurance runs in the home half of the eighth, putting the game out of reach. Transy used four base hits, two free passes and a sacrifice fly to make the final score 11-0 in favor of the home team.

WILKINS improved to 6-0 with his complete game five-hitter. He struck out four batters and walked only one in nine-innings of work.

CODY MCPHERSON (Northwood/Lake) was the lone Beaver to collect multiple hits, going 2-of-4 in the loss to the Pioneers.

Bluffton will wrap up its season with a doubleheader at Transylvania on Saturday, May 5. The first game is slated to start at 12 p.m.

-BEAVERS-