Defiance Drops First Two of Series to Hanover

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Hanover Panthers rallied for three runs in their final at bat of Saturday's opening game, taking a 4-3 victory over Defiance and cruising to a 22-9 win in the second contest of the afternoon to complete the doubleheader sweep.

Stephen Leskow held the Panthers to one run through his six innings, racking up six strikeouts and yielding only eight hits in his 115 pitches. DC rallied behind the showing on the bump with single runs in the third, fifth and sixth to take a 3-1 lead into the top of the seventh inning.

The Hanover bats came alive against the Yellow Jacket bullpen however, opening the final frame with a walk and back-to-back doubles to draw even at 3-3. HC then moved the go-ahead run to third on a sacrifice bunt and took the 4-3 lead on a sacrifice fly out to right field. The one-run cushion would hold, as Defiance went in order in the bottom half of the seventh to end the game.

Momentum would stay on the side of the Panthers in the nightcap, as Hanover's offense remained hot and was aided further by six DC errors in the second game. HC scored in all but two frames, including a pair of six-run rallies to take the 22-9 victory.

DC (4-15, 1-4 HCAC) and Hanover (8-11, 3-2 HCAC) will complete the weekend series with the third and final game on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is slated for noon at Craig A. Rutter Field.