Missed chances haunt Bruins in walk-off loss to Grand View

UPLAND, Ind. -- The second-seeded Bellevue University baseball team stranded four runners in scoring position in the first three innings and Brook Heinen delivered a walk-off single as fourth-seeded Grand View University dealt BU a 7-6 loss to end the Bruins' season on Tuesday afternoon.

The Vikings improve to 35-12 and will play the loser of Taylor-Kansas Wesleyan tomorrow at 11 a.m. in an elimination game.

The Bruins finish the year with an overall record of 40-15.

Scott Hansen led off the game with a triple and the first two runners in the second reached and moved to second and third on a sac bunt but Bellevue was unable to capitalize either time.

A base hit from Hansen and a double by Steven Elsner in the third saw the Bruins threaten again. A foul out and a fielder's choice looked like Bellevue would again come away empty-handed but Ayden Makarus delivered the first run of the game with a single that plated Steven Elsner.

An RBI-double from Logan Grant and a base knock from Jake Lacey put the Bruins up 3-0 behind starter Jace Wessels.

Erik Brookmeier came through with a two-out, two-run single in the fifth to get the Vikings on the board.

Bellevue put two runners on with one out in the sixth but again were turned away.

Hank Himrich tied the game with a solo home run lead off the bottom half for Grand View and the Vikings put two of their next three batters on with one out to chase Wessels from the game. Brady Toth entered for BU and Brock Johnson immediately took him deep for a three-run home run to put Grand View in front, 6-3.

The Bruins immediately responded with a three-run seventh. Lacey singled home Elsner and Elijah Tanner chased in courtesy runner Jaylan Ruffin with a sac fly. Ayden Makarus scored on a wild pitch with two outs to tie the game at 6-all.

After a leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning, Brody Burnette came on for BU. He gave up a single to the first batter he faced but induced a pop-up that turned into a double play and got a ground ball to escape the inning with the score tied.

BU again threatened in the eighth but left two runners on before Burnette (1-1) pitched around a leadoff error in the eighth as the game remained tied into the ninth.

Lacey led off the inning with a base hit but reliever Evan Borst (1-0) retired three-straight Bruins to bring Grand View back to the plate.

Brock Rinehart drew a one-out walk and Bellevue called on Kenji Miller from the bullpen. After a Himrich base hit, Heinen came through with the walk-off knock to right center to send Bellevue home and keep the Vikings alive in the Opening Round – Upland Bracket.