Comeback Bid Falls Short for DC on the Diamond

DEFIANCE, Ohio  --  Defiance rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and had the potential game-winning run on the bases on Tuesday, before Ohio Northern recorded the final out and took the 6-5 win over the Yellow Jackets at Craig Rutter Field.

The Polar Bears jumped in front with two runs in the third and fourth innings and another tally in the top of the sixth to build a 5-0 lead before DC could get on the board.

The Jackets used a two-out rally and some shaky Polar Bear defense to cut into the deficit in the seventh. Brad Timofeev started it off with a two-out single, before an ONU error put runners on the corners. Casey Kahsen then singled up the middle to chase Timofeev home and two more fielding miscues on Ohio Northern would eventually allow Matt Kaighin to score the second run of the frame.     

The game would remain 5-2 until Ohio Northern picked up a crucial insurance run in the top of the ninth, as Jeff Pope dumped a single into left field with two outs to push the ONU lead to 6-2.

Despite facing the four-run hole heading into its final at bat, Defiance did not let up and managed to mount a rally despite hitting into some bad luck. The Jackets got singles from R.J. Chidester and Timofeev to open the frame, but Timofeevs single hit the pinch runner for the first out of the inning.

Kaighin then singled to center and Kahsen was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out in the inning. Braden Brugler forced in the first run with an RBI ground out and a wild pitch would bring home Kaighin to make it a 6-4 game. Trey Harris continued the rally, scoring Kahsen with a single to center and Ben Gates worked a walk to put the potential game-winning run on first and the possible tying run in scoring position.

Tim Pitro then got to a three-ball count before ONU pulled its pitcher and brought in its closer. Nick Simoff threw his first pitch for a called strike to run the count full, before getting Pitro to fly out to right field to end the game.

Harris, Timofeev and Kahsen each collected two hits to account for six of the 11 hits on the day for the Yellow Jacket lineup. Timofeev and Kaighin each scored twice, while Harris, Kahsen and Brugler all had one RBI.

Pat McKee got the start for Defiance and struck out five hitters in five innings, while giving up five runs. Nick Picciano pitched well in relief, keeping DC close by yielding only one run in his four innings.

Defiance will close out its 2008 season this weekend with a three-game series at Mount St. Joseph.