The win was Heitkamp’s first collegiate victory as he struck out five batters and allowed just four earned runs. Senior Bill Bechtel (Wapakoneta H.S.) picked up the save as he recorded three outs in the ninth inning after he came in with two runners on and no outs.
The loss was just the second in league play for Manchester, who falls to 9-14 overall on the season and 4-2 in the HCAC. Bluffton improves to 6-17 overall and 2-7 in the HCAC.
Freshman Dan Crider (Bellville/Clear Fork H.S.) added a solo shot to lead off the seventh inning as all three of Bluffton’s homers led off an inning (2nd, 7th, 8th). Freshman Ryan Fiely (Greenville H.S.), senior Jeff Haulman (Troy H.S.), Alberson and Crider all collected two hits on the afternoon for BC.
Bluffton will host Urbana University on Wednesday for a 9-inning game beginning at 4:00 p.m.
