May 7, 2010
By: Josh Bruner, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - Franklin College rallied in the ninth to force the game into extra innings, where the visitors outscored the Beavers 5-2 for a 16-13 win. The victory pushed Franklin to 24-12 overall, and 14-6 in the HCAC. The Beavers fell to 16-22 and 6-14 in the HCAC.
Bluffton jumped out in front early as they put up three runs in the first frame after a one-two-three inning by starter Ryan Leugers (Botkins). The runs consisted of a Stephen Torres (Lima/Juan Diego) homer, followed by consecutive doubles that pushed Nick Broyles (Toledo/Whitmer) across the plate. Tyler Stephenson (Springfield/Northwestern) then advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout.
Franklin showed its offensive strength in the fourth inning as they picked up five runs on four hits and two Bluffton errors.
The Beavers did not back down from the challenge, and they added single runs in the next two innings to knot the game at five after six. They added a run in the fifth as Kyle Niermann (Napoleon) scored on a single through the right side by Broyles. Bluffton made it 5-5 in the sixth, as Michael Knorr (Pickerington/North) singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. He went to third on Kyle Trainer's single up the middle and scored on a Miles Richardson (Granville/Newark Catholic) RBI groundout.
Bluffton continued their scoring rally, adding another four runs in the seventh. Torres led the inning off with his second solo home run of the night. It was again followed by consecutive doubles which scored Broyles. The Beavers plated two more runs thanks to a Greg Bergstedt (Napoleon/Patrick Henry) triple. Bluffton made it 11-5 after eight innings following a two-run shot to center by Nick Broyles.
The Grizzlies stayed alive by scoring six runs in the ninth inning to tie the game at 11. Franklin worked around a two-out error in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extra innings.
Franklin continued to score, as they added another five runs in the 10th before Bluffton recorded an out. Three of the runs came from a Paul Strack home run. Bluffton had itswork cut out in the bottom of the inning, trailing by five. The Beavers put two runners on to start the inning, but then had consecutive outs. Josh Mendoza (Gibsonburg/Fremont Ross) drove in both Torres and Niermann with a single to left field, but Franklin held on for the 16-13 win.
Broyles ended the day 4-of-6 with three runs scored and three RBI. Stephenson went 3-of-6 with a pair of RBI as well as two runs scored. Niermann and Torres each added two hits with three runs scored and Torres pounded two home runs. Bergstedt and Mendoza each drove in two runs.
The win was credited to Cody Nees who pitched two innings, allowing two runs while striking out two. The win bumps his record to 4-3. The loss went to Tyler Stephenson following 1.2 innings of relief. He slipped to 3-1 and allowed five runs on five hits.
Bluffton will host Franklin again for a doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, May 8. The two HCAC contests will wrap up the season for Bluffton on Senior Day at Memorial Field.
-BEAVERS-