By Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Bluffton University baseball team finished a three-game series with Defiance on Monday, April 3, 2023, with a 5-2 victory, completing the sweep while improving to 11-7 and 5-1 in the Heartland Conference. The Defiance baseball team fell to 3-14 and 0-5 in the HCAC.

Both teams went down scoreless in the opening frame, but the ball started to roll Bluffton's way in the top of the second. After Nick Diana (Batavia/West Clermont) stole second base, Ezra Deitering (Ottawa/Miller City) stepped up and smacked a single that drove Diana in for an RBI. Deitering was coming off a Sunday in which the junior equaled Bluffton's record for hits in a game with his 5-of-5 effort that included three doubles. He scored following an impressive two-bagger by freshman Austin Francis (Troy/Miami East).

The Yellow Jackets made an attempt at a comeback, scoring a run apiece in innings four and five, but the visitors responded with a two-run sixth. A base on balls to Francis with the bases juiced forced Diana in for a 3-2 lead. The final run of the inning saw Deitering cross the dish after Grant Hovest (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) placed the ball perfectly for an RBI single.

The Beavers added an insurance run in the ninth inning when senior Jack Towell (Batavia/West Clermont) slapped a single to center field scoring Hovest and giving Bluffton a great 5-2 victory over its conference rival.

Francis turned in a very impressive game, driving in two runs on the afternoon. Hovest, Towell, and Deitering all added an RBI as well.

Senior Jaden Jaques (New Palestine) moved to 3-1 with the victory, pitching five innings and striking four batters out. Sophomore Nathan Young (Copley) secured his first save of the season, allowing no runs in four innings on the mound while firing six strikeouts.

For more Bluffton University sports news, visit www.blufftonbeavers.com/