By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Bluffton Braves kicked off their 2024 season with a big 16-3 win over Dent on Mother’s Day. The Braves erupted with six runs in the first inning alone thanks to an RBI single by Logan Pulju and a bases clearing double by Cody Barthel. Tyson Barthel also connected with an RBI single to make the score 6-0.

Dent added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning and cut the lead to 6-3 in the second inning. However, from there on out it was all Bluffton as they scored four more runs in the third inning thanks to another RBI double by Cody Barthel and RBI singles by Isaac Hamann and Kyle Dykhoff. 

The Braves scored two more runs in the fourth inning thanks to a two out solo home run by Connor Davis and another run later in the inning.

Kyle Dykhoff came through with a two-run single in the fifth inning, while Wyatt Hamann hit an RBI single in the fifth inning as well to help the Braves take a 15-3 lead after five innings.

The final run of the game came in the top of the sixth inning when Kyle Dykhoff hit a solo home run to finish the game with four hits and four RBIs. 

Kevin Tumberg started the game on the mound and pitched three innings and gave up three runs. Dustin Geiser pitched a scoreless fourth and fifth inning, before Tyson Barthel pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh inning in the win. 

This week the Braves will travel to Sebeka on Sunday afternoon for a game scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.