March 16, 2010
TIFFIN, Ohio - The Bluffton University baseball team worked around 10 hit batters and five walks, but four Heidelberg runs in the seventh proved to be the difference as the #3 Student Princes rallied for an 8-4 victory over the Beavers on a beautiful Tuesday, March 16, 2010. Bluffton slipped to 4-5 overall, while the home team improved to 8-1 on the season.
Bluffton threatened with five hits in the first two innings, however, four whiffs and and an inning-ending twin-killing in the first left four stranded as the Beavers were unable to push any runs across the plate.
Two hit batters, a wild pitch and an RBI groundout allowed Heidelberg to take a 1-0 lead despite going hitless in the bottom of the second. The home team loaded the bases in the third thanks to a walk and two hit batters before sophomore Kelly Barnes (Toledo/Toledo Christian) came on with two down and induced a comebacker which left the bags full.
The Beavers finally broke the ice in the fourth when Kyle Trainer (Mechanicsburg) came through with a two-RBI single up the middle which plated Brennan Bauman (Milford) and Miles Richardson (Granville/Newark Catholic) who both drew one-out walks.
The Berg came right back with a pair of runs on three hits in the bottom of the fourth. Two infield singles and a base hit through the right side coupled with a Bluffton error made the score 3-2 in favor of the home team. The Beavers loaded the bases again in the fifth only to leave three runners on following a fielder's choice to shortstop.
The visitors knotted the game in the top of the sixth on the strength of a solo home run to right center by sophomore Tyler Stephenson (Springfield/Northeastern). Both teams went three up and three down in their next frame before Heidelberg took control with four runs in the home seventh. A free pass, an error, a bunt single and a two-run base hit down the left field line added up to a 7-3 advantage for the Student Princes when the dust cleared.
Both teams added one run to their tally in the eighth inning, but three Bluffton strikeouts in the ninth ended the contest with Heidelberg on top 8-4.
Nick Broyles (Toledo/Whitmer) went 3-of-5 with an RBI, while Miles Richardson and Kyle Trainer both chipped in with two safeties. Trainer drove in two runs for the Beavers. Coach Grandey took advantage of his upgraded 2010 pitching staff, using seven hurlers, including two freshmen and three sophomores, none for more than two innings. The Bluffton pitchers allowed just six Heidleberg hits, while the Beavers finished with 11 knocks.
The Beavers return to action on March 19 when Bluffton welcomes local rival Ohio Northern to Memorial Field for a Friday afternoon doubleheader. The first contest is slated to start at 2 p.m.
-BEAVERS-