Bluffton — The heavy scent of fresh flowers wafted into the hallways from the darkened two-room Athletics Department at Bluffton University on Saturday. Bright bouquets, plants and ribboned baskets lined the front room, gifts from well-wishers seeking to share their condolences with the tiny Ohio college.

Tyler Schlosser, the assistant athletic trainer, his eyes weary, said the arrangements began arriving Friday.

Keith Hadley/Staff (ENLARGE)

Bluffton University athletic trainers Tyler Schlosser and Mary Stocker stand among the many flowers in the university's athletic office.

Jeremy Wadsworth/(Toledo, Ohio) Blade (ENLARGE)

A wreath from Ohio Northern University adorns the fence at Bluffton University's baseball field.

Jeremy Wadsworth/(Toledo, Ohio) Blade (ENLARGE)

Greg's Pharmacy in Bluffton, Ohio, shows its support for the baseball team.

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"They're coming from all over," he said.

Most of the red brick buildings around this tidy campus were closed and locked Saturday as students left for spring break. Three somber-faced students gathered in the computer lab at Marbeck Center, the student union, as laughter and dance music from a wedding reception being held in a room downstairs drifted up. None of the girls wanted to talk.

Wedding guest Hannah Kimmel, 17, said it was strange to be on campus for such a happy event so soon after a tragedy.

"We all talked about it when we drove in and saw the television cameras," Kimmel said, shivering in a sleeveless dress. "It is so sad."

At the nearby baseball diamond, where the grass was soggy and cold, a small wreath had been placed on the chain link fence: "You are in our thoughts and prayers. — Ohio Northern University Athletics,"

Another sign, more to the point, was posted at St. John's United Church of Christ. It read: "Dear God. Please Help Us."