PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla - Heidelberg University third baseman Steve Morse (Scottsdale, AZ/Orchard Lake St. Mary's MI) tallied three RBI in the final two innings as the Student Princes rallied to defeat Bluffton University 7-2 on Saturday.
Morse tied the game with a two-out RBI single in the eighth and batted home two insurance runs with a two-out double in the ninth.
Heidelberg starter Chris Thomas (Canton/Perry) threw eight innings and scattered six hits with seven strikeouts.
Bluffton (7-3) took an early lead in the second. Greg Franks doubled and scored on a single by Jake Townley.
In the top of the third, Heidelberg (6-1) tied the game with a run in the third. Joe Staab (Bellville/Clear Fork) singled and stole second to start the inning. An RBI single from Alex Grove (Canal Fulton/Canton Central Catholic) plated Staab.
Thomas (2-0) and Bluffton starter Ben Roeschley (1-1) kept both offenses quiet through the middle innings.
Bluffton used a leadoff double by Tim Webb to score a run in the seventh.
Trailing 2-1 in the top of the eighth, the Student Princes rallied for two runs. Grove drew a leadoff walk, but Roeschley retired the next two. Ben Blystone (Brownsburg, IN) singled, which pushed Grove to second. Noah Reiter (Trenton, MI) pinch ran for Grove and scored on a single from Morse. With runners on the corners, Jordan Martin (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) singled to give Heidelberg their first lead of the game.
Grove finished 3-for-3.
In the ninth, The Berg tacked on four insurance runs with a two-run single by Blystone and the two-run double by Morse.
Teddy Lowe (Fort Wayne, IN/Carroll) relieved Thomas in the ninth and held the Beavers scoreless to preserve the victory.
Heidelberg will face Salem State on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.