Bluffton Outslugs Defiance, 16-14, in 10-Inning Affair

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance and Bluffton hooked up for a wild game on Tuesday at Rutter Field, as the two teams saw 11 pitchers combine to throw 378 pitches, while allowing 30 runs on 37 hits with 13 coming via extra bases during the 10-inning tilt. When the dust had settled, Bluffton escaped with the 16-14 victory.

At least one team scored in each of the first seven innings, with Bluffton doing damage in six different innings and Defiance denting the scoreboard in four different frames. The Beavers plated six runs in the third, while DC countered with a five-run outburst in the fourth and a four-run rally in the seventh.

Bluffton held leads of 1-0, 7-2, 10-5 and 14-10, only to see Defiance charge back each and every time. The Beavers finally broke through for good in the top of the tenth, when Stephen Torres laced a two-run single into center field to lift BU to the 16-14 cushion.

It looked as if the Yellow Jackets would answer yet again, as Bluffton's fifth error of the game allowed Zach Stallkamp to reach first base to open the bottom of the tenth. Brent Kremer then reached on a fielder's choice that retired Stallkamp and advanced to second on an infield single from Tyler Gallant that put the tying runs on base with the top of DC's lineup due up. The threat stalled there however, as the next two Jackets flew out to end the game.

Zach Stallkamp went 3-6 with a home run, a double and four runs batted in, while Kirk Jesse also had three hits. Keith Wade went 2-6 with two runs and a pair of RBI and Alex Timofeev went 2-5 with two runs, two doubles and two runs batted in.

Defiance (14-22, 5-14 HCAC) will close its 2010 season this weekend with a home series against Rose-Hulman (25-9, 13-6 HCAC). The set will begin with a single game on Friday at 4:00 pm.