By: Colton Steiner

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The rain would stay away from Memorial Field as the Bluffton Beavers faced off against the Franklin College Grizzlies to kick off a weekend series on Friday, MArch 28, 2025. While Bluffton was able to keep it close early, a late spurt from the Grizzlies managed to force a run rule as they knocked off Bluffton, 14-4. With the loss, the Beavers slipped to 3-15 on the season and 1-4 in the HCAC while Franklin improves to 11-7 and 3-2 in the conference.

Bluffton was able to get on the board in the bottom of the first when Ayden Spriggs (North Lewisburg/Triad) connected on a single to center which scored Jake Baumgartner (Toledo/Start), giving the Beavers an early 1-0 lead. After a scoreless second, Franklin was able to tie the game in the top of the third, but Bluffton answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead, 2-1.

The bats would then get hot for the visitors as they erupted for four runs in the top of the fourth on the way to a 5-2 advantage. The Beavers managed to bring home a run in the bottom of the inning, but back-to-back runs in the top of the fifth and sixth innings for Franklin extended their lead to 7-3.

Despite scoring a run in the bottom of the sixth off a Jack Towell (Batavia/West Clermont) sacrifice fly, the Grizzlies responded with seven unanswered runs en route to a 14-4 lead heading into the bottom of the eigth. While the Beavers were able to get runners on the corners with just one out, a double play would seal the Grizzly victory as the mercy-rule came into effect.

The Beaver offense struggled to find a rhythm, connecting on seven hits, but just four after the first inning, to Franklin's 13 safeties. Jake Baumgartner had a solid day at the plate, going 3-for-5 while accounting for a pair of runs. Trey Pipenger (Richmond, Ind.) smacked two hits, one of which went for a double, to go along with a pair of runs.

Starting the day on the mound for Bluffton was sophomore Riley Reyna (Wellington) who tossed 3.2 innings, allowing five runs off five hits while striking out three batters. Alexander James (Vandalia/Butler) would come in for 1.1 innings of relief, fanning three while giving up one run on two hits.

Bluffton will look to rebound as the Beavers get set to play Franklin on Saturday, March 29, in a doubleheader with first pitch set for noon.

-BEAVERS-