Ravens stay alive with HCAC sweep over Beavers

The Anderson University baseball team swept a pair of games against Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Bluffton University on Saturday at Raven Park, winning the first game 13-0 and the nightcap 6-3.

The victories keep alive the Ravens hopes of making the HCAC post-season tournament. The Ravens trail Transylvania by one game for the final spot in the four-team field with one game remaining. An AU victory at Bluffton on Sunday combined with a Pioneer loss to Rose-Hulman would clinch a spot in the tournament.

In the first game, Brad Schnepp tossed a four-hit shutout, walking two and striking out seven to earn his third victory of the season. Schnepp also had two hits and two RBI, including his first career home run at the plate.

Stephen Jones led the Raven offense with three hits, two runs and an RBI, including a home run. Eric Smith also had three hits, two runs and two RBI, including a double and Chris Jarrett had two hits, two runs and four RBI, including a grand slam.

Daniel Hiatt had two hits, three RBI and Cody Young added two hits.

In the second game, Hiatt led the Ravens with three hits, two runs and three RBI, including a triple and a home run. Schnepp had three more hits and an RBI.

Smith had two hits, two runs and Brad Lantz added an RBI double. David Addington had the Ravens 34th triple and scored a run.

Kyle Dillon earned the victory on the mound, allowing four hits and one earned run in 7.1 innings of work, walking one and striking out eight. Brandon Meadows pitched a shutout inning of relief and Smith got the final two outs of the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

AU (23-14, 13-8 HCAC) finishes the regular season at Bluffton on Sunday. The game will be carried live on the internet broadcast at 4:30 p.m.