Bluffton is now 6-5 over their last 11 games and improves to 4-8 in the HCAC and 8-19 overall. Defiance slips to 8-16 overall and 1-8 in the HCAC. Bluffton will travel to Ohio Northern University on Tuesday for a 9-inning game beginning at 3:30.
In the first game, freshman Kyle Alberson (Berne, Ind./South Adams) hit two homeruns and pitched all seven innings as the Beavers picked up a 7-3 win. Junior Todd Pickthorn added a homer and drove in four runs, while junior Brad Buckingham (Geneva, Ind./South Adams) and senior Luke Habegger (Berne, Ind./South Adams) both added two hits, as well.
In the nightcap, Bluffton scored four runs in the sixth inning to break open a tight contest and cruise to a 6-1 win. Pickthorn added three more hits while senior Jeff Haulman (Troy/Miami East) knocked two doubles and freshman Jim Dwenger (Minster) collected three singles and two RBIs.
Sophomore Wes Hall (Huntsville/Indian Lake) allowed just one hit in five innings of work to earn his second win of the season, while senior Bill Bechtel (Wapakoneta) worked two innings of scoreless relief for his second save of the year.
