Late Offensive Fleury Gives Jackets Loss Against Centre

DANVILLE, KY.  --  The Defiance College baseball team wrapped up its season-opening three-game series against Centre (Ky.) College, but a late nine-run offensive surge by the Colonels resulted in a 14-4 loss for the Yellow Jackets in Danville, Ky.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the fourth inning when Defiance (0-3) got on the board with two runs that came on a defensive error with runners on second and third base that allowed junior Glen Collier (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville) and sophomore Troy Konwinski (Allen Park, Mich./Allen Park) to score.  But Centre (6-0) answered the two DC runs with with scores of its own in the bottom half of the inning.  The Colonels also had bases loaded in the inning, but back-to-back groundouts to end the frame limited the damage as the two teams remained tied at 2-2.

DC broke the stalemate in the sixth with another pair of runs that crossed home plate thanks to a two-RBI single by sophomore Tyler Weaver (Defiance) to make the score 4-2.  But Centre answered the runs again, this time scoring nine runs to take the lead and blow the game open by an 11-4 margin.  

Centre continued its momentum in the bottom of the third despite beginning the inning with consecutive strikeouts.  The Colonels plated three more runs in the inning on a two-RBI double and a RBI-single to go up by 10 runs, and ending the game with a final score of 14-4.

Defiance recorded six hits in the game with Weaver being the only Jacket to finish with multiple hits, going two-of-three overall with a pair of RBI.  Konwinski and Collier both finished one-of-two and both also scored two runs.  Senior Nick Watkins (Lima/Central Catholic) and sophomore Tanner Stippich (Lima/Allen East) each had a hit to round out the DC base knocks.

Senior Dave Blanch (Alliston, Ont./Banting Memorial) started out on the hill for the Yellow Jackets and pitched five innings allowing four runs on three hits and had three strikeouts.  He would also suffer the loss begins the season at 0-1.  Senior Drew Miller (Walled Lake, Mich./Walled Lake Central), junior Izzy Martinez (Defiance/Tinora) and freshman Jon Brown (Haskins/Otsego) each saw action in relief.

Defiance will next head south for its annual spring training trip to Ft. Myers, Fla. and the Gene Cusic Classic.  The Jackets will take on Swarthmore (Pa.) College in a non-conference doubleheader on Monday, Mar. 6.  The first game is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.