Port Charlotte, Fla. – March 9, 2011 – The top-ranked Heidelberg University baseball team rallied for five runs in the sixth inning to erase a 3-2 deficit to lead to an eventual 7-3 victory over Bluffton University. The victory improves Heidelberg to 4-0 during its season opening trip to Port Charlotte, Fla. for the Snowbird Classic. Bluffton stands at 3-4.

Down 3-2, Heidelberg's Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) singled through the left side to knock in Gar Keen (Sparta, Ohio / Highland) who led the inning off with double. Two batters later, and with two outs, designated hitter Zach Colatruglio (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick) was behind 1-2 in the count before he connected for a two RBI single up the middle to plate the eventual game-winning run. Jordan Martin (Powell, Ohio / Olentangy) followed with a RBI single before rounding the bases to score on a passed ball to bring the final score to 7-3.

The Heidelberg hitters finished with nine hits on the day, with four coming during its sixth inning rally. Leading the way was Keen who finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Willie Brechun (Canton, Ohio / Canton Central Catholic) went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Leading the way with two RBI was Colatruglio, to go along with a hit. Also finishing with a hit apiece was Elvin Williams Jr. (Euclid, Ohio / Euclid), Lash and Martin.

On the mound, junior right-hander Sylvester Nino (Willard, Ohio / Willard) got the start and threw a five-hitter in 7.0 innings of action to earn the win. He closed out the game with six strike outs. Throwing the final two innings was senior left-hander Branden Stucky (Medina, Ohio / Medina). Stucky allowed just two hits, while striking out three.

Heidelberg continues action in Florida on Friday, March 11 when it travels to Fort Myers to take on Kenyon College. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.