By: Monique Bowman

BLUFFTON -- Despite solid offensive outings by senior Matt Hampshire and freshman Dan Belliveau, the Ohio Northern baseball team fell 18-8 to non-conference rival Bluffton on Tuesday afternoon at Memorial Field.

The Beavers improve to 6-8 overall, while the Polar Bears fall to 4-9 overall.

Both Hampshire and Belliveau went 3-for-5 at the plate. The senior hit three doubles and drove in one run, while the freshman hit his second homer of the season and well as tallying four RBIs.

Junior Bryce Sedio took the loss and moves to 1-2 overall. He allowed four runs on three hits, and walked one batter.

Down 2-1 after the first inning, a Devin Kisor single put junior Kevin Obarski in scoring position at second. Sophomore Brian Thomas singled next to bring in Obarski.

Holding a 5-3 lead into the fifth inning, the Beavers' bats exploded, scoring five runs during their turn at the plate to take the 8-5 lead.

The Bluffton offensive attack continued over the next two innings and Northern was unable to respond.

Nick Broyles went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Beavers and earned five RBIs, while Miles Richardson went 3-for-6 with four RBIs.

Halen Cole picked up the win for Bluffton (2-0); he allowed two runs on five hits and struck out five hitters.

Northern continues its 15-game roadtrip tomorrow with a doubleheader at Manchester (Ind.); the first game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.