By Ezra Deitering, Bluffton University sports information assistant

The Beavers baseball team made their way to Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, Ind., on Saturday, April 2, to square off in a doubleheader with Franklin College to open Heartland Conference play. Bluffton fell to 6-11 overall and 0-2 in the HCAC, while Franklin upped its mark to 17-5 and 2-0 in the conference.

Franklin opened up scoring via the long ball coming off the bat of AJ Sanders in the bottom of the first frame. Bluffton responded with two runs in the top of the 2nd when Joe Fields (Brookeville, Ind./Franklin County) grounded out, scoring Justin Maurer (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) and Ezra Deitering (Ottawa/Miller City) picked up Grant Hovest (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf). From there it was all Franklin as the home team proceeded to put up 16 runs on 20 hits. Bluffton scored 2 more in the top of the 7th but it was too little too late. 

Garrett O'Reilly (Galena/Orange) was pegged with the loss and he now stands at 1-1 on the year.

Leading Bluffton in hitting during the first game were sophomores Kenny Schneider (Sunbury/Big Walnut) and Ezra Deitering, both with two hits apiece. 

The second game was more of the same for both sides. Franklin got off to a hot start as Demkovich homered and Wood scored on a wild pitch. Demkovich went on to homer three times in the 2nd game, giving him four dingers on the day. 

The Beavers responded with a run in the top of the 2nd as Brandon Wilson (Casstown/Miami East) singled, scoring O'Reilly. Franklin then scored two in the bottom of the 2nd before the Beavers responded with a run in the 3rd on a fielder's choice. 

From there it was all Franklin outside of a Jack Towell (Batavia/West Clermont) homer in the 5th which cut the lead to 7-3. However, the Grizzlies put up six more unanswered runs, completing the sweep. Carson Curnutte (Hilliard/Hilliard Davidson) took the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season.

Bluffton will head to North Manchester, Ind., for a twin-bill with Manchester University on Tuesday, April 5. Game one is slated to start at 1 p.m.

For more Bluffton University sports, visit https://blufftonbeavers.com/