The Bluffton University softball team will host its annual Strike-Out Cancer fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on Saturday, April 16. The Beavers will meet Ursuline College in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. at the university softball field.
Individual Bluffton players may be sponsored for any amount; checks should be payable to the American Cancer Society.
A check for the total amount raised will be presented to the cancer society before the first pitch Saturday. The event has raised an average of $1,350 per year over the last nine years.
Bluffton University junior Rachel Giovarelli, from Wauseon, placed first in the university's annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest on April 6.
In addition to earning a $175 cash prize, Giovarelli qualified for a bi-national contest with top finishers from other North American Mennonite colleges.
Gary Labonte has resigned as Bluffton University's head men's and women's cross country/track and field coach. This is his third season with the Beavers.
"Gary Labonte will be leaving as head cross country and track and field coach for both our men's and women's teams at the conclusion of this academic year," said Phill Talavinia, athletics director. "I wish Coach Labonte all the best. We will begin a search for a new coach in the coming weeks."
The Bluffton University softball team fell behind 9-5 in game one, but the Beavers rallied back, scoring five runs in the sixth inning to win 10-9 against Heartland Conference rival Manchester College. The second game the Beavers scored in four of the six innings and won 9-1 for a mercy-rule victory over the Spartans. Bluffton improved to 12-11 overall and 5-3 in the HCAC, while the Spartans fell to 9-17 on the season and 1-5 in the conference.
The Bluffton University baseball team won a nail-biter after tying the game with two runs in the bottom of the ninth, going on to defeat conference foe Earlham College 7-6 in 12 innings. With their first conference win of the season, the Beavers improved to 1-6 in the HCAC and 9-13 overall. The Quakers fell to 8-12 on the season with a conference record of 1-6.
Dr. Doug Hertzler, associate director of Eastern Mennonite University's Washington (D.C.) Community Scholars' Center, will be the speaker at a Bluffton University Forum at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, in Yoder Recital Hall. His presentation, "People : Poverty x Power = Problems or Progress? Where Do You Fit into the Equation?" is free and open to the public.
