Bluffton’s baseball team lost its season opener on Tuesday at New Haven in a game that came down to the final play.
The Tigers led 8-5 going into the bottom of the seventh, but the Bulldogs tied it up 8-8. Sam Gouden came up with a chance to win the game and singled on the first pitch he saw to score the winning run for New Haven.
Despite the loss, Bluffton outhit New Haven 11-8. Curtis Ellis and Eli Garrett each had three hits to lead Bluffton, and Kyler Rolston added two more.
Brock Drayer started on the mound for Bluffton and allowed three runs on two hits over 1 2/3 innings. Braxton Betancourt and Ellis came in relief for 4 1/3 and 2/3 innings respectively.
Bluffton will head to Blackford on Thursday for its next game.
