BLUFFTON, Ohio – Franklin College senior Ryan Bixler moved one step closer to becoming Franklin's all-time home run king on Sunday (Mar. 28) afternoon as part of the Grizzlies' road double-header with Bluffton.

Bixler clubbed his first home run of the year and 29th of his career in game two, moving him into a tie with former teammate Frank Podkul for the most in school history. Franklin (7-4) dropped the opener to Bluffton (3-11) by a 15-5 count but bounced back to take the second game, 9-1.

Game One: Bluffton 15 – Franklin 5 (7 inn.)
The Grizzlies got the scoring started in their first at bat of the day with Nick Wright bringing home a run with a sac fly and Tysen Lipscomb knocking in a runner with a single to spot Franklin a 2-0 lead. The lead wouldn't last long as Bluffton plated eight in their first trip to the dish.

Wright would add his second RBI of the day in the second and both Jacob Heuchan and Jackson Young would knock one run in each later in the game for FC.

Game Two: Franklin 9 – Bluffton 1
Game two was a pitcher's duel for five innings with the lone run during that time coming on an RBI single from Wright in the top of the third. Franklin broke through for two runs in the sixth and pith the game out of reach an inning later.

With two outs and two runs already in thanks to a Quenton Wellington double, Bixler belted a two-run shot that moved him into a tie for first place and stretch the Grizzly lead to 7-0. Wellington knocked in another run with a double in the eighth and Case Starkey scored on wild pitch late for Franklin.

Senior Tyler Robinson (1-0) got the ball for his first career start and didn't disappoint, holding the Beavers to five hits with a career-high seven strikeouts over six innings of work. Bret Sawyer worked the final two innings in relief, making his first appearance out of the bullpen this year.

Also making his first career start at third base was freshman Colby Reed, and the Bloomington, Ind.-native went 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. Bixler, Wellington and Logan Demkovich all had a pair of hits in game two.

Franklin returns to action at home on Wednesday (Mar. 31) afternoon for a single game against the Mount St. Joseph Lions. First pitch from John P. McDowell Field is set for 4:00 p.m.