March 17, 2015

Stats

ALBION, Mich. - Bluffton received another stellar effort from its hurlers at Albion College, but the Britons scored a run in the bottom of the eighth and made it hold up as the home team pulled out an exciting 3-2 victory on Tuesday, March 17, 2015. Bluffton dropped to 7-5 on a day when its four-game winning streak was snapped, while Albion improved to 6-2 on the season.

The Britons took advantage of a passed ball, a Bluffton error and a sacrifice fly to go up 2-0 in the home half of the first. The Beavers cut the deficit in half when Jeff Roth (Bellevue) singled home Michael Alexander (Monroe) in the top of the fourth.

Three Bluffton singles added up to a 2-2 tie midway through the seventh as Alexander picked up Mike Castro (Reynoldsburg) for a two-out RBI. Albion used three base hits and a sacrifice bunt to plate what would be the game-winning run an inning later as the home team took a 3-2 lead into the ninth. A walk and infield single had the Beavers in business before a ground ball double play ended the threat and the game with the home team on top.

Starter Corey Johnson (Waverly) went four innings and gave up just the two runs in the first, one earned, with six strikeouts. He did not walk a batter and allowed just two hits. Taylor Gambrell (Bowling Green) was saddled with the loss despite giving up just one on five hits in 3.1 innings on the hill.

T.J. Devore (Grove City) continued his hot hitting, going 3-of-5 for the game. Alexander and Roth chipped with two safeties apiece. Tyler Spalding (Willis, Mich./Lincoln) drew three walks in the Tuesday evening loss.

Bluffton will kick off Heartland Conference action this Friday, March 20, when the Beavers welcome Franklin College for the first clash of a three-game weekend series at 4:15 p.m.

-BEAVERS-