March 8, 2014
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Bluffton University baseball team continued the momentum it gained from its Friday night victory over Alvernia as the Beavers wrapped up their week in Florida with a convincing sweep of Finlandia on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Bluffton won its final three games in Florida in improving to 5-4 on the season, while Finlandia slipped to 1-3.
The Beavers scored in five straight innings, including two apiece in the second, third and fourth frames before exploding for five in the fifth. Freshman Luke Hickey (Toledo/Whitmer) ripped a two-run double in the third and David Ianiro (Highland Heights/Mayfield) tripled to open the fourth inning. A wild pitch allowed Ianiro to cross the dish before Tyler Spalding (Willis, Mich./Lincoln) singled home Michael Alexander (Monroe) for a 6-2 lead.
Ianiro went back to work in the fifth inning, driving in Christian Vail (Lucas) and Hickey to ignite a five-run frame. Ianiro scored on a wild pitch, while Tim Webb (Delaware/Worthington Christian) and Cade Randolph (Marengo/Highland) singled home Alexander and Jason Colliver (Beavercreek). Alexander tripled home Jeff Roth (Bellevue) in the home half of the sixth to cap the scoring at 12-4 in favor of the Beavers.
Luke Hickey and David Ianiro both finished with three hits, two runs scored and two RBI. Webb, Alexander and Castro all added two safeties. Alexander drove in two runs and scored twice. Vail finished game one with two runs scored.
Freshman Jaylen Von Sossan (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) upped his record to 1-1 with his first collegiate victory. He allowed four runs, just two earned, in five innings of work. Von Sossan struck out four and allowed seven hits while walking two batters. Dyson Bowman (Coshocton) fanned four in two innings as he closed out the contest with two shutout innings.
Coach Grandey was able to go to the bench early and often in game two thanks to 14 runs in the first four innings. A two-run first that included triples by Mike Castro and Tyler Spalding made it 2-0 before the Lions took their first turn at the plate.
A six-run second was highlighted by Vail's steal of home and a two-run base knock by Spalding. Finlandia made an error that led to a pair of unearned runs for Bluffton.
The Beavers added three runs in both the third and fourth innings as Bluffton built a two-touchdown advantage. Ianiro spanked a two-run triple in the third and Michael Alexander singled home two runs in the fourth. Vail crossed the dish on a wild pitch to cap the scoring for the week. The Lions put together three runs over the final three frames but it was not enough as Bluffton drilled Finlandia by a final count of 14-3.
Brad Schlabach (Fredericksburg/Hiland) upped his season mark to 2-0 after tossing three-hit ball over the first five innings. He gave up one run and fanned five in the victory.
The Every brothers, Austin and Kevin, (Zanesville/West Muskingum) and Taylor Gambrell (Bowling Green) combined to work the final two innings. Kevin gave up two runs after Austin struck out a pair of Lion batters.
Spalding went 3-of-3 with five RBI. Freshman Dawson Scotch (North East, Penn./North East) was a perfect 3-of-3 with two runs scored and an RBI in his first start behind the plate. Alexander, Castro and Ianiro all scored twice in the victory, while Ianiro and Alexander both drove in two runs.
Bluffton is slated to travel to Prasco Park on Tuesday, March 11. The first pitch with the Wilmington Quakers is slated for 4 p.m. Check the Bluffton University baseball schedule for weather related updates.
-BEAVERS-