April 16, 2008
TIFFIN, Ohio - The Bluffton University baseball team allowed Heidelberg to put runs on the scoreboard in only two frames, but the Beavers still needed TIM KAY (Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity) to work a shutout ninth inning in relief as Bluffton nipped the Student Princes by a 12-11 count on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Bluffton improved to 12-15 while Heidelberg now stands at 23-7 overall.
A.J. RAMTHUN (Springfield/Southeastern) opened the game with a double down the left field line. Following a single by MIKE RAMTHUN (Springfield/Southeastern) and walk to Tim Kay, a wild pitch allowed A.J. Ramthun to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead.
A DAVID RIDDLE (Milford/Milford) sacrifice bunt moved TONY MOORE (Elida/Elida) and COREY CONN (London/London) into scoring position with one out in the top of the second. Mike Ramthun's base hit up the middle plated both Moore and Conn and gave the Beavers a 3-0 advantage.
Heidelberg turned its three-run deficit into a three-run lead with six scores on six hits in the home half of the third, ending AUSTIN FRITCH'S (Edon/Edon) outing after three innings. The Princes got three singles, a pair of two-baggers and a three-run homer by GRASSLEY before Fritch retired the final two batters of the inning.
The Beavers came back to put a five-spot on the board in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Bluffton strung together six consecutive hits, including a CHRIS BAUMAN(Milford/Milford) ground-rule double, singles by CODY MCPHERSON (Millbury/Lake) and JIMMY MCMONAGLE (Ida, Mich./Ida) and a two-run homer by Tony Moore. Corey Conn followed with a double to center before Riddle's two-base hit down the left field line made the score 8-6 in favor of the Beavers.
Moore's move out of the leadoff slot paid dividends again, an inning later, when he smacked his second long ball in as many frames, a three-run shot that picked up ANTHONY BRYANT(Reynoldsburg/Reynoldsburg) and McMonagle and put the Beavers up 11-6.
An RBI base knock by Moore that plated Cody McPherson proved to be the game winner when Heidelberg rallied for five runs in the bottom of the eighth. Bluffton used three pitchers and needed Heidelberg to line into an inning-ending double play with the tying run on third to escape the eighth with a one-run lead.
After Heidelberg relief ace CALEVRO struck out three of the four Bluffton batters he faced in the ninth, Tim Kay kept the home team off the scoreboard in the bottom half for his first save of the season.
Tony Moore had his best game of the season, going 4-of-4 with six RBI and three runs scored, including two dingers. McPherson and McMonagle both collected three hits while Mike Ramthun added a pair of singles. McPherson, McMonagle and Conn all scored two runs in the victory over Ohio Athletic Conference heavyweight Heidelberg College.
TYLER SPRUNGER (Berne, Ind./South Adams) worked to just 13 batters as he pitched four innings of no-hit ball for the victory. He struck out two batters and walked one. Kay, working in relief for the first time this season, gave up a hit and hit a batter, but he got three outs without allowing a run for the save.
Bluffton returns to action on Friday, April 18, when it welcomes Heartland Conference rival Franklin College for the first contest of a three-game home series with the Grizzlies. The Friday game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. following the dedication of Bluffton University Memorial Field. Former Bluffton football player and assistant baseball coach Tim Berta is scheduled to throw out the first pitch for the Beavers.
-BEAVERS-