Heritage had trouble keeping up with Bluffton in a pivotal ACAC matchup Tuesday, falling by a score of 17-5, ending an 11-game winning streak.
Heritage (14-2, 4-1 ACAC) got on the board in the top of the first inning after Kingston Galentine doubled, driving in Beau Stoppenhagen.
Bluffton (11-7, 5-1 ACAC) flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the first, scoring five runs on two hits to take the lead, 5-1. Three of the 5 runs came off of Patriot errors.
Bluffton would add to their lead in the bottom of the second on a grand slam to left field by Abram Gehrett.
Heritage would get two back with an RBI single by Galentine, followed up by Max Mirelez hitting into a fielder’s choice. The Tigers added three more in the third with another long ball off the bat of Aaron Streveler.
Bluffton scored five more runs on five hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Trevor Smith had an RBI single, Dawson Lee hot a two-run single, would score on a wild pitch, and Griffin Morgan would hit a sac fly to right field.
The Patriots would get on the board again in the top of the fifth, thanks to a two-run double by Lucas Taylor.
Griffin Morgan earned the win for Bluffton, giving up seven hits and five runs over five innings, striking out seven and walking none. Mirelez took the loss for Heritage. The hurler went two and two-thirds innings, allowing 12 runs (nine earned) on five hits, striking out four and walking three.
Another big test comes up for Heritage on Thursday, as they host the other Patriots of Jay County on Thursday, with a 6pm first pitch. Jay County holds their own destiny in winning the conference, as they are undefeated at 5-0 in ACAC play (11-7 overall), following a 24-1 shellacking of Southern Wells Tuesday night. A Heritage win would mean a three-way tie with Bluffton for the top spot.
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