By: Takayla Gadberry, sports information assistant

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Bluffton University baseball team started their 2020 campaign on Sunday, Mar. 1 in the sunny state of Florida. The Beavers kicked off their week against Alvernia University. The Wolves took the sweep as Bluffton dropped game one, 9-5, and game two, 12-4.

The Beavers struck first in the top of the first when Lenny Winiarski (Cincinnati/LaSalle) hit a three-run bomb to left field. Alvernia would answer back with five runs of their own in the bottom of the first for a 5-3 lead. Three more runs for the Wolves during the fourth and fifth innings pushed their lead to five (8-3).

A Parker Reynolds (Avon) double pushed Garrett O'Reilly (Galena/Orange) across the dish and made the score 8-4. An RBI-double from Adam Duncan (Northwood/Lake) scored Cale Sherbourne (Johnstown/Big Walnut) but it wouldn't be enough as Alvernia took game one by a 9-5 count.

Starting the contest for Bluffton was Carson Curnutte (Hilliard/Davidson) who allowed seven runs on eight hits. Curnutte (0-1) struck out one batter and issued two free passes.

Bluffton tallied five runs on six hits in the loss. Leading the way was O'Reilly going 2-for-3 and crossing the plate both times. Winiarski picked up three RBIs for the Beavers.

After a short break, the Beavers were back on the field to battle the Wolves in their second game of the day. Alvernia took a 5-0 lead after four innings. Bluffton would get on the board in the bpttom half of the fourth when Jacob Latkofsky (Temperance, MI/Ida) hit a dinger over the right field fence to make the score 5-1. A two-run single for Jack Towell (Batavia/West Clermont) plated Winiarski and Reynolds to pull the Beavers within two (5-3).

Three more Alvernia runs in the top of the sixth pushed the lead to six (9-3). Another RBI base knock for Towell scored Reynolds, but it wasn't enough as the Wolves secured the sweep, 12-4.

Taking the mound in game two was Tommy Siemer (Liberty Township/Lakota East). He allowed five runs on four hits. The Beavers totaled 10 hits, led by Towell who was a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI. Latkofsky also picked up an RBI.

Bluffton will be back in action on Monday, March 5, when the Beavers face off against Saint John's University in a doubleheader at 12 p.m. Stay up to date with Beaver news on Twitter @Bluffton_sports and on the Bluffton Athletics website.

-BEAVERS-