Konwinski Sets RBI Record as Offense Prevails in Final Nonconference Battle

DEFIANCE, OHIO - Troy Konwinski (Allen Park, Mich. / Allen Park) added his name to another list in the Defiance baseball record book on Tuesday afternoon. The senior emphatically increased his career RBI tally to 104, setting the new record for the program, as the Yellow Jackets downed Capital 13-7. 

The Defiance offense found their stride early as Garrett Sierra (Defiance) and Michael Gilliland (Napoleon) found their way on base via a walk and a single respectively. Konwinski then stepped up, grabbing his first hit of the day while driving in Sierra for the record breaking RBI. DC put up two more runs in the inning to quickly jump out to a 3-0 lead. 

Gilliland and Konwinski tag-teamed three more runs in the second inning as Gilliland drove in Ben Bucklew (Archbold) before Konwinski rocked a home run over the right field fence to push DC up by six. 

Nate Kaffenbarger (DeGraff / Indian Lake) had the Yellow Jacket dugout waiting outside the dugout once again in the third as the sophomore hit a solo shot home run deep over the left field wall. 

Defiance's offense slowed, but not for long as the Yellow Jackets plated three more runs in the sixth inning after a pair of runs in the fifth. The sixth saw Michael Reese (Constantine, Mich. / Constantine) continue his stretch of positive at bats as the designated hitter. The sophomore blasted a shot back up the middle, driving in two runs, before Kaffenbarger forced one more in to tally the third triple run inning of the contest. 

From the mound, the Yellow Jackets threw five pitchers. Jon Brown (Haskins / Ostego) picked up his fourth win of the season with his three inning performance. The junior allowed five hits, one run, and struck out one before being relieved by Will Bohlman (Centerville). 

The victory concludes nonconference action for the Purple and Gold. Defiance's record now stands at 16-13-1.

DC will continue the hunt for the HCAC tournament as they travel to Hanover for a pair of games on Saturday, April 27. First pitch of the double header is slated for 12:00 pm.