By: Colton Steiner

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Bluffton Beavers traveled south to compete in their first HCAC battle of the year as they would go head-to-head with the Transylvania Pioneers. A hot start from the Pioneers would allow them to get a lead early and not look back as they took game one 12-3. The Bluffton offense would get going in game two, but they were unable to stop the Transylvania offense as they would fall in game two 10-6. With the pair of losses, the Beavers now sit at a record of 5-9 on the season, while starting off at 0-2 in the HCAC. 

In game one of the day, following a scoreless first inning, the hosts would erupt for eight runs in the second as they would hold a 8-1 lead through two. Bluffton was able to get a run on the board in the top of the third after a Pioneer error brought home Torin Long (Defiance). Following scoreless fourth and fifth innings, Transylvania would add increase their lead to 10-1 after scoring a pair of runs in the sixth. The Beavers were able to add three runs to their score after an RBI double from Wes Toth (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) scored Nathan Rorick (Dublin) and an RBI from Drew Snipes (Pickerington, Ohio / North) brought home Wes Toth, making it 10-3 heading to the bottom of the seventh. Transylvania would load the bases and score a run off a sacrifice fly, but Bluffton would get out of the inning trailing 11-3. In the bottom of the eighth, the Pioneers would put another run on the board in the eighth and after the Beavers were unable to score in the top of the ninth, they would fall in a final score of 12-3. 

Transylvania would outhit the Beavers 7-4 as both teams finished with two errors apiece. Wes Toth finished the contest going 1-for-2 at the plate with a run and an RBI, while Nathan Rorick recorded one run and one hit. Both Tyler Forest (Harrison, Ohio / LaSalle) and Drew Snipes would each record a hit in the contest. 

Falling to 0-1 on the season on the mound was Matthew Becher (Fishers, Ind. / Hamilton Southeastern) , who pitched 1.2 innings and allowed eight runs off four hits, while walking five batters. Jack hardesty (Akron, Ohio / Hoban) would come in and throw four innings of relief, allowing a pair of runs off three hits, but would also fan three batters. 

The two teams would open up game two and go scoreless in the first, but a run for the Pioneers in the bottom of the second put the hosts up 1-0 heading into the third. After the third was scoreless, Bluffton would load the bases in the top of the fourth, where Wes Toth would clear the bases after smoking a grand slam down the right field line, giving the Beavers a 4-1 lead. The lead for Bluffton would be short-lived as Transylvania would bring home three runs in the bottom of the inning, evening up the contest at 4-4.  The two teams would stay notched at four following a scoreless fifth inning, but in the sixth the Pioneers would retake the lead after scoring five runs in the bottom of the inning, taking a 9-4 lead on Bluffton. Neither team would put runs on the board in the seventh but in the top of the eighth, Wes Toth would smack his second homerun of the day, scoring two runs for the Beavers to cut the deficit to 9-6. Following a run from the Pioneers in the bottom of the inning, Bluffton would be unable to mount a comeback as they would fall in a final score of 10-6. 

Despite the loss, the Beavers would come out with a 12-9 hit advantage as Wes Toth would record all six of Bluffton's RBIs after going 2-for-4 with a pair of homeruns. Also contributing for the Beavers was Sam Archambeau (Maumee) who tallied a team high three hits while Tyler Forest and Ayden Spriggs (North Lewisburg, Ohio / Triad) would each record two hits in the contest. 

Riley Reyna (Wellington) takes the loss on the hill, dropping to 1-2 on the season after pitching five innings and allowing six runs off six hits. Reyna also tallied three strikeouts while Alexander James (Vandalia, Ohio / Butler) led the Beaver bullpen after throwing for 1.2 scorelss innings of relief. 

Bluffton will kick right back into action on Sunday, Mar. 22 when they compete in their home opener against the Anderson Ravens starting at 1 p.m. Come out and support your Beavers!

-Beavers-