March 26, 2016
By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant
ANDERSON, Ind. - The Bluffton University baseball lost another tough battle to the Anderson University Ravens, 5-2, on Saturday, March 26. The loss was Bluffton's fourth in a row and seventh in their last eight contests as they fell to 5-11 overall and 0-3 in HCAC action. The Ravens sweep of the series improves their mark to 6-9 and 3-0 in the conference.
The Beavers opened the scoring in the first inning as LUKE HICKEY (Toledo/Whitmer) took advantage of two Raven errors for a quick 1-0 lead.
Bluffton hurler COREY JOHNSON (Waverly) and Anderson's BEN YODER breezed through the opening four innings before Johnson gave up three runs in the fifth frame, giving the Ravens a 3-1 lead through five.
The Beavers continued to fight in the seventh, as COLIN GREGORY (Fremont/Clyde) walked to lead off the inning. RYAN GOLDEN (Findlay) would pinch run and advanced to third on an error off of an attempted pickoff throw. Gregory crossed the dish on a base hit from DENNIS SZALAI(LaGrange/Keystone) and Bluffton trailed just 3-2 at the stretch.
The Ravens, however, would add a run apiece in both the eighth and ninth innings, while the Beavers could not take advantage of runners in scoring position in each of the last two innings in falling 5-2.
Corey Johnson suffered his third defeat in as many decisions for the Beavers, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits in 4.1 innings on the mound. JAYLEN VON SOSSAN (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) threw two innings in relief and gave up a run while striking out three Ravens. Freshman RAYMOND RICHARD (Taylor, Mich./John F.Kennedy) allowed one run in 1.2 innings of relief.
Anderson starter Ben Yoder picked up his first win of the year, improving to 1-3 by throwing six innings and giving up just one unearned run while striking out eight Beavers.
JASON COLLIVER (Beavercreek) led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with three singles while also stealing a base for Bluffton. The visitors also got two hits apiece from AUSTIN PROSSER (Galion) and Dennis Szalai in the loss.
The Beavers will look to rebound as the Earlham College Quakers come to town on Tuesday, March 29. The HCAC matchup is slated for a 4:15 p.m. first pitch at Memorial Field. Come support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-