By: Colton Steiner
BLUFFTON, Ohio - With clear skys and the sun shining, the Bluffton baseball team faced off in a doubleheader against the Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers. After dropping the first game by an 8-1 count, the Beavers were able to get the bats going late in game two. However, a late rally from Rose-Hulman led to a 10-9 loss as the Fightin' Engineers completed the sweep. Bluffton dropped to a record of 5-21 on the year and 3-9 in the HCAC, while Rose-Hulman improves to 13-12 overall and 6-5 in conference play.
The visitors would score right out of the gate and go up 1-0 before adding another run in the second to take a two-run lead going into the third. In the bottom of the third, the Beavers would get some offense rolling after Jack Towell (Batavia/West Clermont) connected on a double down the right field line which scored Jake McCoy (Milford), cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Following a scoreless fourth inning, the Fightin' Engineers would get a run on the board in the fifth and then another in the sixth, bringing their lead to 4-1. A four-run inning from Rose-Hulman in the top of the seventh pushed it to 8-1. While the Beavers were able to hold the visitors scoreless for the remainder of the contest, they just couldn't get the bats going as they dropped the first game 8-1.
Bluffton managed only six hits, while Rose-Hulman exploded for 15 safeties in the lidlifter. Picking up two hits was Jack Towell, who recorded an RBI as well as the only extra base hit. Jake McCoy scored the lone run in game one.
Dropping to 1-3 was Riley Reyna (Wellington), who went six innings, allowing four runs off nine hits while recording three strikeouts and three walks. Senior Brent Mitosinka (Ida, Mich.) allow only one hit in two innings of relief while fanning one batter.
To start game two, Rose-Hulman was able to get on the board in the top of the first inning after an RBI single put them up 1-0. The Fightin' Engineers would score a second run after a fielding error by the Beavers, putting the score at 2-0 in favor of the visitors.
Trailing 3-0, Bluffton was able to get some offense flowing when Colton Rinehart (Richmond, Ind./Centerville) picked up Brandon North (Hilliard/Bradley) with a sacrifice fly to center. The Beavers were not done yet as Brady Mitosinka (Ida, Mich.) singled home Tyler Forest (Harrison/LaSalle), cutting the deficit to one run. A run in the third and then another in the fourth made it 5-2, but a Brandon North RBI single was able to bring the Beavers within two in the bottom of the fifth.
Following a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, the Beavers managed to answer with an Ayden Spriggs (North Lewisburg/Triad) sacrifice fly, putting the score at 7-4. The bats would then get hot as Brody Hammersley (Coshocton) smoked a two-run double before Justin Maurer (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) also hit a two bagger, tying the game at 7-7.
After holding the Engineers scoreless in the top of the seventh, an RBI single for Ayden Spriggs and a sacrifice fly from Jack Towell put Bluffton in the drivers seat with a 9-7 advantage going into the eighth. The lead would be short lived as a fielding error from the Beaver defense scored a run and then a two-run shot allowed the visitors to retake the lead at 10-9. The Bluffton offense went stagnant as they were unable to respond in the final two frames on the way to a 10-9 setback.
The Beavers were able to find some life at the plate, outhitting Rose-Hulman 12-10. Ayden Spriggs and Brody Hammersley would each record a pair of hits, along with a pair of RBIs, while Justin Maurer and Brady Mitosinka added two hits apiece. Jack Towell added two hits of his own, while also accounting for a pair of runs.
Taking the loss on the hill was Andrew Collinsworth (WestervilleWesterville South) slipped to 1-2 on the year after going two innings and allowing two runs off two hits. Nathan Young (Copley) would start the contest, going 5.1 innings and allowing five earned runs on eight hits. The Beaver defense struggled, throwing it around with five errors.
After his performance in both games today, Jack Towell now stands alone as Bluffton's career hit leader with 249, passing Kyle Niermann (2010-13).
Bluffton will put this one behind them as they kick right back into action on Sunday, April 13, when the Beavers travel to face the Mount St. Joseph Lions, starting at 1 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
