April 20, 2010
CEDARVILLE, Ohio - The Bluffton University baseball team took advantage of eight six-inning runs as the Beavers stunned Cedarville in a seven-inning run-rule victory on Tuesday, April 20, 2010. Bluffton improved to 10-8 in non-conference play and 11-18 overall, while the Yellow Jackets fell to 22-17 on the season.
The visitors jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Brennan Bauman (Milford) tripled home Kyle Niermann (Napoleon) and Tyler Stephenson (Springfield/Northwestern). Four consecutive hits by Bluffton in the third allowed the Beavers to open a 5-0 lead. Nick Broyles (Toledo/Whitmer) knocked in Niermann and Stephen Torres (Lima/Juan Diego) with a single to center before a Tyler Stephenson two-bagger sent Broyles across te plate.
After two scoreless frames for both teams, Bluffton's offense went ballistic with seven hits and eight runs in the top of the sixth inning. All of the fireworks came after Cedarville recorded the first two outs. Broyles and Stephenson both chipped in with two-run singles before a Bauman double to right center plated Stephenson. Freshmen Michael Knorr (Pickerington/North) and Miles Richardson (Granville/Newark Catholic) sandwiched RBI triples around a Cody McPherson (Northwood/Millbury Lake) base hit, putting the Beavers up 13-0.
Cedarville finally got on the scoreboard with a run in the sixth and two in the seventh, but Bluffton finished off the Yellow Jackets 13-3 in a game shortened to seven innings due to the 10-run mercy-rule.
Tyler Stephenson was a perfect 4-of-4 at the plate with three RBI and two runs scored before taking a well-deserved seat in the dugout. Leadoff hitter Kyle Niermann went 3-of-5 with three runs scored. Broyles, Richardon and Bauman all added two safeties. Torres and Broyles both scored two times while Broyles and Bauman drove in three runs apiece.
Freshman starter Jordan Kruse (Napoleon), who improved to 2-1 on the year, cruised through five innings, allowing just one hit and no runs with three strikeouts. Tyler Gibson (Sylvania/Southview) and Cody McPherson combined with Kruse on a five-hitter against the Yellow Jackets.
Bluffton returns to action on Saturday, April 24, when the Beavers host Hanover College for a weekend Heartland Conference series. The first contest is slated to start at 1 p.m.
-BEAVERS-