By: Colton Steiner
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton Beavers would play host to the Franklin College Grizzlies in a double-header to close off a three-game series on Saturday, March 29. In the first game of the afternoon, Bluffton struggled to get anything going offensively, while Franklin's bats were on fire, winning game one in a final score of 16-0.Things would go much better in game two as the bats would start to light up and pitching was on point with the Beavers avoiding the sweep after knocking off the Grizzlies 6-3. With each team winning a game on Saturday, Bluffton moved to 4-16 with a 2-5 mark in the HCAC, while the Grizzlies sit at 12-8 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
After falling behind 1-0 and Jake Baumgartner (Toledo/Start) picking up a leadoff walk, Jack Towell (Batavia/West Clermont) would get Bluffton's first hit of the game with a single to left center. While the Beavers were able to load the bases in the first, they were unable to put a run on the board. It would be a different story for the Grizzlies as they would get hit after hit and score 15 more runs to knock off the home team 16-0 in seven innings.
Franklin racked up 17 total hits, while the Beavers only managed to connect on five safeties in game one. Jack Towell would record three hits in three at-bats for the Beavers. Brody Hammersley (Coshocton) and Ayden Spriggs (North Lewisburg/Triad) each aded a hit in the lidlifter.
Senior Nathan Young (Copley) dropped to 0-4 on the season after allowing six runs off nine hits with a pair of strikeouts and two walks.
The visiting Grizzlies opened game two with a two-run double in the first to take a 1-0 advantage, but after a dropped fly ball, Bluffton evened up the score at 1-1 with a Towell run.
The hits would keep coming in the second inning when Towell smoked a double to left center, scoring Baumgartner and Evan Houseman (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) for a 3-1 over the visitors. Following a scoreless third, Franklin was able to cut the Beaver lead to one after an RBI single to right in the top of the fourth.
Bluffton would immediately respond in the home half with a three-run double to right center from Brody Hammersley, extending the lead to 6-2. The visitors plated a run in the fifth, but the Bluffton pitchers were dealing as they salted away a 6-3 victory in game two.
The Beavers were led by Brody Hammersley who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a walk. He reached base in all four of his plate appearances. Jack Towell would also add a pair of hits to go along with a two RBI while Evan Houseman would draw two walks and cross home plate twice.
Picking up the win on the mound was Jaden Jaques (New Palestine, Ind.) who improved to 1-2 after allowing just three runs off eight hits. Jaques was dealing, striking out five batters in 7.0 innings. Wyatt Groves (Marengo/Highland) would come away with the save after 2.0 innings of scoreless relief, allowing only one hit while fanning three. The Beaver defense was electric, recording four double plays in game two!
Bluffton will look to gain momentum following the win as the Beavers travel to Albion to face off against the Britons for the second time this season. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
