By Mallory Kemper, sports information intern

The Bluffton University baseball team plated runs in four innings, including a five-run eighth and a four-run inning sixth as the Beavers beat the Polar Bears 13-3 at Ohio Northern on March 23, 2011. Bluffton improved to 7-7, while ONU slipped to 8-4 on the season.

Bluffton put three runs on the scoreboard in the first inning starting with a Kyle Niermann (Napoleon) double. Miles Richardson's (Granville/Newark Catholic) bunt single moved Niermann to third. With runners at the corners, Nick Broyles (Toledo/Whitmer) came to the plate and singled down the right field line, sending home Niermann and Richardson. Freshman catcher Tim Webb (Delaware/Worthington Christian) knocked in Broyles with an RBI single for a 3-0 Bluffton lead.

In the sixth inning the Beavers put up another four runs for a 7-1 lead. Airic Steagall (Hillsboro) drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a Kyle Trainer (Mechanicsburg) sacrifice bunt before Niermann's base hit sent him across the plate. Anthony Cianci (Ravenna/Southeast) and Richardson both walked, setting the stage for a Broyles three-run double to right field. Two ONU scores in the bottom of the sixth inning made the score 7-3.

In the eighth inning the Beavers had three hits, but scored five runs thanks to a trio of walks and a Polar Bear miscue. Ohio Northern put up just three runs, one in the fifth and two in the sixth as Bluffton went on to win 13-3 over the Polar Bears.

Nick Broyles went 3-of-6 at the plate with five RBI. Kyle Niermann finished 3-of-5 with 2 RBI and two runs scored. Webb and Cianci both knocked in two runs for the Beavers.

Junior starter Miles Richardson, who improved to 1-1 on the year, was superb through six innings, giving up only four hits and three runs, one earned. Ryan Leugers (Botkins), Nick Rodesky (Bowling Green) and Ben Roeschley (Graymont, IL/Flanagan) pitched the final three shutout innings, allowing only two hits.

Bluffton jumps right back into action when the Beavers travel to Mount St. Joseph to open HCAC action on Friday, March 25. The contest is slated to start at 5 p.m.