ONU Powers Past Jackets with Seven-Run Eighth

ADA, Ohio  --  Defiance nearly overcame an early 8-1 deficit, fighting back to within a single run before Ohio Northern scored seven times in the bottom of the eighth to cap a wild, 15-7, contest on Sunday at Wander Field.

After giving up five Polar Bear tallies in the first and three more in the second, Defiance faced an 8-1 deficit heading into the fourth. The Jackets refused to go away easily and scored in three of the next four innings to get back within a single run.

Tim Pitro got things started with a leadoff double in the fourth and came around to score on a single to left field off the bat of David Jackson.

The Jackets struck again in the fifth for a pair of unearned runs to trim the gap to 8-4 and added three more in the top of the seventh. Jeremy Hawkins ignited that rally with a walk to start the frame before three-straight singles from LeTroy Harris, Pitro and Jackson made it an 8-7 ballgame.                          

That was as close as it would get however, as ONU exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the eighth to seal the 15-7 victory.

DC rapped out 13 hits with Pitro and Jackson each going off for four hits and driving in a pair of runs. Pitro also scored three times and Harris crossed the plate twice.

The Jackets (10-21) will play at Manchester on Tuesday at 4:15 before hosting Wittenberg on Thursday at 4:00 pm.