By: Colton Steiner

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton Beavers would play host to the Manchester Spartans as the two teams would face off in a conference double-header. After a thrilling 15-inning battle, the Beavers would come out on top 4-3 after a walk-off walk from Liam George (Hilliard) sealed the victory in game one. Manchester would respond, handing Bluffton a 6-5 defeat in game two as the split moves the Beavers to an overall record of 8-19, with a 2-10 mark in the HCAC. 

A one-run single in the top of the second allowed the visitors to jump ahead 1-0, but an RBI single down the right field line from Brandon North (Hilliard, Ohio / Bradley) allowed Drew Snipes (Pickerington, Ohio / North) to score, evening up the game at one apiece. Following four scoreless innings, Bluffton would jump ahead 2-1 after an RBI double from Zane Sarcheck (Sunbury, Ohio / Big Walnut) and then get another run off a double from Nathan Rorick (Dublin), putting them in the front seat 3-1. In the top of the ninth, Manchester would respond with a pair of runs to even up the game at 3-3. Going into extras, neither team was able to muster up any offense as the contest would have five scoreless innings until the Beavers would step up to the plate in the bottom of the 15th. After loading the bases, Liam George would draw a walk after a full count, bringing home Jake McCoy (Milford) and sealing the 4-3 win for the Beavers. 

In a game that would set the record for team at bats in a game in Bluffton history (55), the Beavers would come out with a 14-11 hitting advantage over the Spartans. Six batters would tally two hits apiece, with Nathan Rorick going 2-for-4 with an RBI and Zane Sarcheck picking up two hits, a run, and an RBI. Also producing offense for the home team was Drew Snipes, who finished 2-for-7 with a run, and Brandon North who also went 2-for-7, including an RBI. 

The Bluffton pitching staff would set school records in total strikeouts with 17 and most innings pitched, as the unit went 15 frames. Riley Reyna (Wellington) would toss 8.1 innings, allowing three runs off eight hits, while also firing 10 strikeouts. Alexander James (Vandalia, Ohio / Butler) would fan five batters in four innings of relief, allowing just one hit in his appearance. Pikcing up the win and improving to 1-2 on the season was Nathan Waggoner (Brookville), who tossed two innings, picking up a pair of strikeouts and giving up just two hits. 

After a short break, the two teams would get right back into action, with Drew Snipes scoring for the Beavers in the bottom of the first after a throwing error brought him home to give Bluffton an early 1-0 lead. The lead would not last long as the Spartans would respond with three runs in the top of the second to take a 3-1 advantage. In the bottom of the third, the Beavers would respond with an RBI from Ayden Spriggs (North Lewisburg, Ohio / Triad), followed up with a one-run double from Brandon North, evening up the contest at 3-3. Bluffton would add another run in the inning after a single from Drew Johnosn scored Brandon North as the home team would lead 4-3 after three. Following a scoreless fourth inning, Manchester would retake the lead after a pair of runs allowed them to go up 5-4. While an RBI from Zane Sarcheck in the bottom of the frame tied the game, an RBI single in the sixth from the Spartans put the visitors up 6-5. After the Beavers would be unable to muster up any offense in their final four at bats, Manchester would come away with a 6-5 win over Bluffton. 

Both teams would finish the day with ten hits in the contest, with Drew Snipes finishing 3-for-4 at the plate with a run, and Brandon North going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and an RBI. Liam George would go a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate and Drew Johnson (Bucyrus, Ohio / Wynford) hitting 2-for-3 with an RBI in the loss. 

Noah Davis (Cincinnati, Ohio / Norwood) would start the day on the hill, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing five runs off six hits, while flaming six strikeouts. Dropping to 0-1 on the season was AJ Remick (Orient, Ohio / Grove City), who would allow just one run off four hits, picking up a pair of strikeouts in the contest. 

Bluffton will go right back at it against Manchester, when they host the Spartans in the final game of a three-game series on Sunday, Apr. 12 with a 12 p.m. start time. 

-Beavers-