STORM LAKE, Iowa (Apr. 16, 2025) - The Buena Vista baseball team hosted Hamline University in a non-conference game on Wednesday night, and the Beavers scored runs in seven of the nine innings while holding the Pipers scoreless over the final four innings, en route to a 10-3 victory.

BVU was using a pitcher-by-committee effort in the game and went on to use a different pitcher each inning. 

The two team's traded single runs in the second inning before BVU pulled ahead for good with two in the third. Senior Drew Taylor gave the Beavers their first lead with an infield single to score twin brother Evan from third. Drew then came around to score moments later after Kaden Struck lined an opposite field double deep to the gap in left centerfield. 

Hamline cut the deficit in half with one run in the fourth to make it a 3-2 ballgame but BVU came back with a run in its half, two more in the fifth and then got a big bases clearing three-run from Evan Taylor to extend his school record career total to 53. Sophomore Brandon Jenkins capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Struck finished just a home run shy of the cycle in the game and finished the game at 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored. He nearly missed his second career home run when he tripled on a ball the hit the top of the fence and came back into the field of play in the fifth that scored Drew Taylor and made it 5-3.

Evan Taylor was 2-for-4 with a double, four RBI and a run scored. He also stole a base and is now 11-for-14 on the year. Drew Taylor went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks and three runs scored. Jenkins also doubled in the game and finished with two RBI.

Gunner Russell got the starting nod on the mound for BVU and pitched a perfect first inning. Junior Levi Kennedy (1-0) came in and worked the third inning and was credited with his first collegiate victory. He worked around one hit and a walk. Senior Zach Pleggenkuhle worked around a pair of hits in the eighth inning by striking out three batters. Jake Eddie closed the book with a pair of quick flyouts and a groundout in the ninth.

Logan Lape-Brinkman, Dylan Johnson, Peyton Thomas, Christina Kaanapu, and Evan Koleson also tossed one inning of relief.

Buena Vista improves to 22-6 on the year and now travels to play at Simpson College for a three-game weekend series beginning Friday, Apr. 18, in Indianola with the singe game at 6 p.m.