By: Takayla Gadberry, sports information assistant

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Bluffton University baseball team traveled to Port Charlotte, Fla., on Tuesday, March 8, for a contest against Lebanon Valley College at the Snowbird Classic. Despite leading into the eighth inning, the Beavers dropped a tough 7-6 decision to the Dutchman. Bluffton fell to 1-4 on the season, while Lebanon Valley improved to 2-4.

Bluffton scored first in the second when Jeff Strayer (Columbus/Thomas Worthington) stole home and a Brandon Wilson (Casstown/Miami East) sacrifice fly plated Grant Hovest (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) for a 2-0 lead. The Beavers made it 4-0 when a Strayer double pushed Jack Towell (Batavia/West Clermont) across the dish and then Strayer scored on a wild pitch.

The Dutchman found the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth when two scores made it 4-2. Jake Baumgartner (Toledo/Start) answered back with a bomb over the left field fence to put Bluffton up 5-2. A Lebanon Valley homer pulled the Dutchmen within one (5-4) before a rough defensive stretch for the Beavers allowed Lebanon Valley to tally two unearned runs en route to the 7-6 victory.

Eddie Budinski (Louisville) started on the mound, tallying five strikeouts in six innings of work. Jaden Jaques (New Palestine, IN) sent one Dutchman back to the dugout in 1.2 innings of relief. Taking the loss was Hovest (0-1) who allowed one run in his 0.1 innings of closing work. Hovest was the offensive sparkplug, going 3-for-4. Also getting it done at the dish was Nick Diana (Batavia/West Clermont) who went 2-for-3. Strayer scored twice in the loss.

The Beavers will be back in action on Wednesday, March 9, when they face Alvernia on day four of the Gene Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. Go Beavers!

-BEAVERS-