By: Colton Steiner
FRANKLIN, Ind. - The 2026 baseball season would come to a clsoe for the Bluffton Beavers as they traveled to face off against the Franklin Grizzlies in their final game of the season. An early lead would put the Beavers up front, an offensive battle from both teams would ensue, with Franklin coming out on top as they defeated Bluffton 15-13. As the season concludes, the Beavers finish the season with an overall record of 8-32, with a 2-20 mark in the HCAC, as Franklin improves to 23-17 on the season and to 12-10 in conference play.
Following a one run first inning for the Grizzlies, the Beavers would respond with a pair of RBI singles from Torin Long (Defiance) and Carsen Riddle (Troy) to jump ahead 2-1 in the second inning. They would continue their offensive outburst with a two-run single from Tyler Forest (Harrison, Ohio / LaSalle) that found the gap in left, extending the Beavers lead to 4-1. They would add another run off a one bagger from Ayden Spriggs (North Lewisburg, Ohio / Triad) in the inning as they would be up 5-1 going into the bottom of the inning. After holding the home team scoreless, Torin Long would draw a walk in the top of the third with bases loaded,giving the Beavers a 6-1 advantage. Franklin was able to get some offense going in the fourth inning, cutting Bluffton's lead down to two, but a two-run double from Billy Ramsey (Fairfield) that score Zane Sarcheck (Sunbury, Ohio / Big Walnut) and Wes Toth (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) allowed the Beavers to increase their lead up to 8-4. A homerun for the Grizzlies cut down the lead to 8-6 in the bottom of the fifth. While Bluffton added three runs in the sixth, Franklin would erupt for nine runs in the bottom half of the inning, taking a 15-11 lead on the visitors. The offense now flowing for both teams, the Beavers would respond with a pair of runs in the seventh frame, including an RBI single from Brandon North (Hilliard, Ohio / Bradley) as they trailed 15-13. Tyler Forest would step up to the plate in the top of the eighth and smoke an RBI single to right, but a homerun for the Grizzlies in the bottom of the frame would put the home team back up front 16-14. In the top of the ninth, Bluffton was unable to mount a comeback as they would fall 16-14 to Franklin in their final game of the season.
The bats were hot for both teams, with the Grizzlies holding a narrow 16-15 edge in total hits. Pacing the Beavers with a 3-for-4 outing with four RBIs was Billy Ramsey, who also added a pair of runs to the statsheet. Tyler Forest would bat in three runs with a 2-for-4 day at the plate, as Drew Snipes (Pickerington, Ohio / North) and Ayden Spriggs would each record a pair of hits in the contest.
Matthew Becher (Fishers, Ind. / Hamilton Southeastern) would start the day on the mound for Bluffton, tossing 3.2 innings and allowing four runs off six hits with a pair of strikeouts. Taking the loss and falling to 0-3 on the season was AJ Remick (Orient, Ohio / Grove City) who would allow four runs off four hits. Despite four fielding miscues, all 16 runs for the pitching staff would be earend.
The Beavers baseball season comes to a close as seven players finished their college baseball careers. We wish them the best in their endevours and are excited to see what they do in their fields. Continue to check the Bluffton baseball webpages over the coming weeks as the record books are updated and All-Heartland Conference awards are distributed.
-Beavers-