March 23, 2010
By: Keisha Holtsberry, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University baseball team notched its first home win of the season on March 23, 2010, as the Beavers defeated Albion by a score of 14-13. With the win Bluffton's record is now 7-7 on the year, while Albion fell to 4-6.
Bluffton University followed a one-two-three first inning by freshman hurler Miles Richardson (Granville/Newark Catholic) with a seven-run frame in the bottom half. Nick Broyles (Toledo/Whitmer) led off the first for the Beavers with a triple down the right field line. Stephen Torres (Lima/Juan Diego) followed with a three-bagger to center field, scoring Broyles from third. Tyler Stephenson (Springfield/Northeastern) single through the left side plated Torres for the 2-0 lead. Brennan Bauman (Milford) also singled through the left side before Michael Knorr (Pickerington/North) loaded the bases with his bunt single. Cody McPherson (Northwood/Millbury Lake) singled to center field and each runner moved up 90 feet as Stephenson crossed the plate. Kyle Niermann (Napoleon) singled down the left field line, earning an RBI as Bauman scored. Josh Runda (Lima/Bath) reached first on a fielder's choice and Albion error that allowed Knorr and McPherson to score. Ian Land (Troy, Mich./Athens) picked up Niermann with his sacrifice fly to center field.
The Britons came back in the top of the second, scoring five runs of their own on four hits. Four singles, three walks and two wild pitches allowed Albion to cut into Bluffton's seven-run lead.
In the bottom of the second the Beavers scored one run. Brennan Bauman led off with a single to left field. He came around to score courtesy of a sacrifice bunt by Michael Knorr, a single by Cody McPherson, and a fly ball to center field by Kyle Niermann.
Albion came out in the top of the third and scored three runs on three hits to knot the game at eight before Bauman took over on the hill. Bluffton University answered in the bottom of the third by scoring three runs of their own. Ian Land doubled down the left field line and moved to third on a lineout by Nick Broyles. He crossed the plate following a single by Tyler Stephenson. After taking a free pass, Stephen Torres advanced to third on the single by Stephenson and then stole home when Stephenson's steal drew a throw at second base. Stephenson scored the final run of the inning on a single up the middle by Brennan Bauman.
In the fifth inning both Bluffton and Albion scored a run. Bluffton's run was scored by Stephen Torres after he singled to the left side. Torres stole second and came around after Tyler Stephenson doubled down the left field line.
In the top of the seventh Albion scored four runs, giving the Britons the lead. They scored four runs on three hits and left no one on base after DeClarke pounded a three-run shot to center field.
The Beavers tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. Tyler Stephenson singled up the middle. He moved to second thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Brennan Bauman. Stephenson then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Michael Knorr singled to left field, picking up the RBI as Stephenson crossed the plate.
Bluffton University took advantage of an Albion error in the bottom of the ninth to claim a 14-13 victory. The inning started with David Riddle (Loveland/Milford) getting hit by a pitch. Anthony Cianci (Ravenna/Southeast) came on to run for Riddle. Cianci advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ian Land. Cianci then moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch. Nick Broyles was intentionally walked to set up a potential double play, but the game ended with Cianci scoring on a Briton throwing error.
Tyler Stephenson not only improved to 3-0 with his shutdown ninth inning on the mound, but he paced the Bluffton offense with a 4-of-5 day at the plate, three runs scored and three RBI. Bauman, Torres and Knorr all went 3-of-4, while Torres crossed the plate three times. Niermann drove in two and Bauman scored twice. Bauman worked six solid innings, keeping Bluffton in the game after the Beavers gave up eight runs in the first 2+ frames. He fanned seven while giving up five runs on five hits.
The Beavers are back in action this Friday, March 26, when they travel to Rose-Hulman for a three-game Heartland Conference series. The first contest is slated to start at 6 p.m.
-BEAVERS-