April 22, 2017
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The pitching was on display as Bluffton and Franklin split a pair of one-run games on a blustery Saturday, April 22, 2017. Bluffton's come-from-behind victory in game three gave the Beavers their first HCAC series win since the opening weekend against Anderson. Franklin fell to 18-14 overall and 10-9 in the Heartland Conference, while Bluffton improved to 13-18 and 6-13 in the HCAC.
Clayton Siders (Delaware/Worthington Christian) singled home Austin Prosser (Galion) in the bottom of the third, knotting game one at 1-1. However, Franklin took advantage of a single, a stolen base, a passed ball and a balk to go up 2-1 in the top of the fourth.
Bluffton had its chances, stranding 12 runners on base as Franklin starter Jordan Clark threw over 150 pitches while improving to 5-0 following the complete-game victory. He struck out eight and walked five in his six-hitter.
Dyson Bowman (Coshocton) broke the school record of 62 strikeouts in a season when he caught leadoff hitter Alex Mis looking in the first frame! He tallied four K's for 66 with two weeks to go.
Dante D'Andrea (Westerville/North) worked four scoreless innings of relief, allowing no outs as he and Bowman combined on a two-hitter! He struck out two and walked two.
Prosser and Luke Hickey (Toledo/Whitmer) both notched two hits with Prosser scoring the only run.
Blake Fox (Berne, Ind./South Adams) doubled home Prosser with two outs in the first inning of game two for a quick 1-0 Bluffton lead.
The Grizzlies plated solo runs in the third and fourth and maintained their 2-1 lead until the bottom of the seventh when Luke Kail (Waynesfield/Sandy Valley) reached base on a Franklin miscue. Hickey tied the game with his RBI single to right center.
Colin Gregory (Fremont/Clyde) singled to open the eighth and was removed for speedy pinch runner Brayden Sautter (Ada) who moved up 90 feet when Siders executed his sacrifice bunt to perfection. Kail took advantage of his second at bat in as many innings with an RBI double down the right field line, sending Sautter home with what would be the game-winning run.
Prosser went 3-of-5 to finish the day with five hits. Ryan Golden (Findlay) tacked on two safeties for the victors.
Brantley Curnutte (Hilliard/Davidson) was on point, allowing just two runs on six hits in six innings of work. He struck out three and walked two. Corey Johnson (Waverly) allowed no runs on just two hits over the final three frames for his second victory of the season.
Bluffton will make its final trip to Richmond, Ind., on Tuesday, April 25 when the Beavers match up with Earlham College for the third time this season. The first pitch is slated for 4:15 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
