(BLUFFTON, Ohio) - Wilmington battled back early to erase a first-inning deficit, but Bluffton pulled away with runs in four different innings to hand the Quakers a 9-2 loss Wednesday night in Bluffton.
The Beavers attacked first, scoring in the bottom of the 1st. JP Donelan struck out the first batter, but he reached first on a wild pitch. A stolen base and a single put runners on the corner. A two-out double scored both runners to put Bluffton up 2-0 early.
Wilmington got on the board in the top of the 3rd. Caleb Fugate worked a leadoff walk, and J.C. Calhoun reached on a hit by pitch, bringing up the top of the order. Braden Chambers laid down a sac-bunt to move the runners over and Dominic Depa delivered with a clutch two-run double to score both. Depa was stranded, but the Quakers tied the score to 2-2.
The hosts retook the lead in the latter half after reaching on an error to leadoff the inning. A wild pitch and another error brought in the runner from third on flyout, putting Bluffton ahead 3-2. Wilmington loaded the bases with a trio of walks in the top of the 4th, but a fielder's choice ended the inning. The Beavers scored three more runs in the bottom of the 4th. A two-out walk started a rally featuring a double, two singles, and a walk to bring in the hosts' sixth run. Dawson Blunt relieved Donelan to get the last out with Wilmington trailing 6-2.
Bluffton tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the 6th. A leadoff hit by pitch, single, and then a balk scored the seventh run. An RBI single extended the Beavers' lead to 8-2. The Quakers went down in order in the top of the 7th before Bluffton tacked on a ninth run on a solo home run. Wilmington could not mount a comeback, falling 9-2 on Wednesday night.
Notables
What's Up Next
Wilmington travels to Tiffin, Ohio, to take on Heidelberg University for a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1:00 P.M. The Quakers return home to take on Wabash College on Sunday at 1:00 P.M.
