By: Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Bluffton University baseball team fell to Haverford 13-4 at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic on Thursday, March 9, 2023. Bluffton slipped to 2-4 on the season as they head down the home stretch of their matchups in Florida for spring break.

The Beavers only allowed five scores through the first seven innings, but could not get on the board until they scored all four of their runs in the eighth inning. Grant Hovest (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) smacked a run-scoring double into right field, plating Eddie Hardaway (Englewood/Northmont). Nick Diana (Batavia/West Clermont) picked up Hovest with his RBI base knock to right.

The final two Bluffton runs came courtesy of a Jack Towell (Batavia/West Clermont) rocket, once again splitting the first and second baseman for a two-run single that drove in Diana and Kaden Bowman (Hilliard/Davidson). The Beavers trimmed the deficit to 7-4, unfortunately, Haverford was able to seal the game with six more runs in the ninth for a 13-4 victory.

Towell had two RBIs, while Hovest and Diana were both able to score runners.

Sophomore Wyatt Groves (Marengo/Highland) took the loss, tossing four innings and striking out two batters. Jaden Jaques (New Palestine, Ind.) and Jake Shaver (New London) pitched two innings apiece.

Bluffton looks to get back in the win column on Friday, Mar. 10, with an early matchup against Hiram College. It will be the only game of the day for the Beavers with the first pitch estimated for 9 a.m.

-BEAVERS-