By: Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant

DELAWARE, Ohio - The Bluffton University baseball team dropped its first game of the season, 8-0, as the Beavers traveled to Ohio Wesleyan University on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Bluffton stands 0-1 while the Battling Bishops open up at 1-0.

The Beavers limited OWU to just four runs through the first seventh innings, but the eight is where the home team put it on ice, scoring two times on wild pitches and two more on a missile to right center. Ohio Wesleyan doubled its offensive output in the inning en route to an 8-0 victory on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon.

Senior Nick Diana (Batavia/West Clermont) and junior Ezra Deitering (Ottawa/Miller City) were able to get on base in the early innings, with Diana smacking a single in the first and Deitering a base knock of his own in the second. Seth Altman (Hilliard/Hilliard Davidson) drove one into center for a single in the sixth frame. Diana finished with two of Bluffton's five hits. Senior Jack Towell (Batavia/West Clermont) laced a ninth-inning two-bagger.

Carson Curnutte (Hilliard/Hilliard Davidson) struck out three Bishops in 4.1 innings on the mound. He allowed three runs, two earned. Sophomore Andrew Collinsworth (Westerville/Westerville South) gave up just one run in 2.2 innings of work with one punchout. Curnutte took the loss as Bluffton was unable to get on the board.

The Beavers will hop on a flight down to Fort Myers, Fla., for a plethora of matchups over spring break. They kick off their southern slate with a doubleheader against Rockford University from Illinois on Monday, March 6. The first game is slated for 9 a.m. at Terry Park Field 3.

-BEAVERS-