By: Colton Steiner
AUBURNDALE, Fla. - The Bluffton Beavers would take to the field to go up against the Calvin University Knights as they continued their trip to Floida, competing in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. Weather would hault play twice during game one as Calvin would cruise to a 14-5 win over the Beavers, but a thrilling 9-8 victory for Bluffton in game two after three extra innings of play would seal the split. Following the loss and win, the Beavers now sit at a record of 3-5 on the 2026 campaign.
It was all the Knights right out of the gate as they erupted for seven runs in the first three frames and then would add five in the fourth to go up 12-0. They would add on a couple more runs in the fifth before an RBI double from Colin Russ (North Olmstead, Ohio / Cuyahoga CC) would put Bluffton on the board in the top of the sixth as they trailed 14-1. The Beavers would add four more runs in the inning after Carsen Riddle (Troy) smoked a triple down the right field line, followed by a JT Vaughn (Fishers, Ind. / Hamilton Southeastern) one run single that scored Riddle. Another run in the inning would come off a Peyton Tichenor (Heath, Ohio / Lakewood) single, but Bluffton would ultimately fall in a final score of 14-5 after game one.
While the Beavers would finish the contest leaving nine runners on base, they racked up 10 hits as a team, with Carsen Riddle leading the way with a 2-for-3 outting with a pair of RBIs. Kayden Smith (Mogadore, Ohio / Field) and Nathan Rorick (Dublin) would each tally a run, while Colin Russ, JT Vaughn, and Peyton Tichenor would all record one RBI apiece.
Taking the loss on the hill was William Nowakowski (Grand Rapids, Ohio / Swanton), who falls to 1-1 on the season after allowing three runs off six hits in two innings of work. While Bluffton's pitchers unit struggled as a whole, Travis Rooney (Thompson, Pa. / Susquehanna) would close out the contest pitching the final two frames and allowing no runs and only one hit, while striking out two batters.
The Beavers would start things off in game two by going up 1-0 in the bottom of the first after Xander Greulich (Pemberville, Ohio / Eastwood) smacked an RBI single up the middle to score Tyler Forest (Harrison, Ohio / LaSalle). Momentum would be carried into the second inning as Bluffton brought home a staggering seven runs, extending their lead to 8-0. The eight run lead would be cut down to five following a three run third frame from the Knights as the Beavers would be up 8-3. After a scoreless fourth from both teams, Calvin would add another run in the fifth before a three-run dinger in the sixth brought them within one. They wouldn't be done as they woud score a run off an RBI single to tie things up at 8-8. The two teams would battle in the seventh, and after neither team would score, they would go into extras. Following two scoreless frames, the Beavers would take to the plate in the bottom of the tenth and with bases loaded and one out, Tyler Forest would crack a walk-off single to left center, scoring Evan Grammel (Fairfield, Ohio / Stephen T. Badin) and sealing the win for Bluffton with a 9-8 victory.
Cracking a total of 13 hits, the Beavers would finish the contest with five batters having a multi-hit game. Billy Ramsey (Fairfield) and Xander Greulich would each finish the game going 2-for-4 with two RBIs a piece, while Tyler Forest would smack two hits and score twice. Ayden Spriggs (North Lewisburg, Ohio / Triad) and Nathan Rorick would each finish the day with a pair of hits a piece
Travis Rooney would come away with the victory, improving to 1-0 on the season after closing out the final two innings, allowing just one hit while recording one strikeout and a walk. Starting the game on the hill was Riley Reyna (Wellington), who pitched the first three innings and would allow two earned runs off two hits, while recording four strikeouts. The relief pitchers would rack up the strikeouts, with Alexander James (Vandalia, Ohio / Butler) recording three, while Matthew Becher (Fishers, Ind. / Hamilton Southeastern) would tally four.
Bluffton will conclude their trip to Florida as they get set to face off against Trine on Friday, Mar. 6, with first pitch set for 9:15 a.m.
-Beavers-
