DC Baseball Opens Three-Game Series with Loss

ANDERSON, IND.  --  The Defiance College baseball team began its final three-game series of the season with a 7-2 loss against Anderson (Ind.) University in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action in Anderson, Ind.

The score remained deadlocked at 0-0 until the third inning when both teams traded runs with Defiance's (15-19, 10-15 HCAC) score coming on a defensive error with runners on first and third base.  Anderson (26-11, 17-8 HCAC) took the lead in the bottom of the fifth with a run on a passed ball with a runner at third to make the score 2-1. 

In the top of the seventh, the Yellow Jackets tied the game at 2-2 thanks to a sacrifice fly by junior Ryan Kohlhofer (Walbridge/Lake) with bases loaded.  The Ravens then broke the game open with a five-run eighth to regain control and lead 7-2 heading into the ninth.  DC failed to get anything going offensively in the top of the ninth as three straight outs by the Jackets sealed the victory for Anderson in the series opener.

Defiance had six hits in the game with sophomore Zack Reed (Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek) being the only player to record multiple hits going two-of-four including a run scored.  Kohlhofer finished the game with a hit in three attempts to go along with the RBI.

On the mound, sophomore Dave Blanch (Alliston, Ont./Banting Memorial) started the game and would end up with a no decision after pitching five innings allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits and struck out two batters.  Fellow sophomore Nick Watkins (Lima/Central Catholic) came on to pitch two-and-a-third innings in relief and gave up four runs on four hits.  He was also the pitcher of record and got the loss, dropping him to 1-3 overall for the season.  Sophomore Nick Peters (Macomb, Mich./Eisenhower) pitched the final two-thirds and allowed one run on two hits.

Defiance and Anderson will meet again tomorrow (Saturday, May 2) for a pair of games in the seaon finale for the Yellow Jackets.  The first game is scheduled to begin at noon.