April 17, 2012
By: Martin Kluk, sports information intern

BLUFFTON, Ohio -  In a back-and-forth game, arch-rival Defiance College stung last with a run in the top of the ninth to steal a 5-4 win over the Bluffton University baseball team on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. With the tough loss on Strike Out Cancer Day, the Beavers fell to 14-16 overall (7-8 HCAC), while the Yellow Jackets improved to 9-18 (2-11 HCAC).

After Defiance grabbed the lead with an early run in the top of the first, Bluffton came back with a two-spot in the bottom of the second to go up 2-1. After the first two batters were retired to start the inning, Tim Webb (Delaware/Worthington Christian) got things going with a double. He was followed with a single by Nick Broyles (Toledo/Whitmer) to put a pair on base for freshman Josh Gullett (Mansfield/Madison) who drilled a double which plated both runners.

The Yellow Jackets came back with a run in the top of the third to tie the game at two. The Beavers again answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning as three straight singles by Miles Richardson (Granville/Newark Catholic), Tyler Stephenson (Springfield/Northwestern) and Tyler Wright (Troy) scored Richardson for a 3-2 Bluffton lead.

Following a scoreless fourth by both teams, Defiance's offense was able to score a pair and grab a 4-3 advantage. For the third time in the game, Bluffton responded with a tying run in the bottom of the fifth on a little small ball. Kyle Niermann (Napoleon) led off the inning with a single, was bunted over by Richardson and came home on a single by Wright.

For innings sixth through eighth, it was a pitcher's duel as Ben Roeschley (Graymont Ill./Flanagan) relieved Halen Core (Reynoldsburg). Core went six solid innings while surrendering four runs (three earned) and striking out five. In relief, Roeschley breezed through the seventh and eighth to keep the game tied at 4-4 heading into the ninth.

However, the Yellow Jackets used a walk and a pair of singles to take a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth and the Beavers went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.

In the well rounded effort, the Beavers notched 11 hits with Wright and Niermann contributing two apiece. Wright also added two RBI. On a positive note, all-time hits leader Tyler Stephenson notched his 200th career hit in the third inning.

Bluffton returns to action on Friday, April 20th, when the Beavers host the first of a three-game HCAC series with Mount St. Joseph. The lidlifter is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. at Memorial Field.

-BEAVERS-