Jackets Split Twinbill Against Skidmore on the Diamond

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Defiance picked up its third-straight win with a 6-1 victory over Skidmore in Tuesday's opener. The Jackets could not make it four-straight wins however, suffering a, 3-2, extra-inning setback in the second game of the doubleheader.

DC wasted no time getting on the board in the opener, plating six runs in the first inning to take control of the game. Tim Pitro got the scoring started with an RBI single, before Bradley Rittner singled in two more and Casey Kahsen cleared the bases with a three-run double.

Brad Timofeev (1-1) handled the rest, as the Yellow Jacket ace went all seven innings on the mound for DC's first complete game performance of the season. Timofeev scattered six hits and struck out four hitters in the 6-1 victory.

Defiance and Skidmore then hooked up for a pitching duel in the second game of the afternoon, with the Thoroughbreds edging the Jackets, 3-2, in eight innings.

DC struck in the first inning once again, as Kirk Jesse doubled and then jogged home after the Skidmore hurler put three-straight Jackets on base with control issues. The 1-0 advantage would not hold for long, as Skidmore answered in the bottom half of the inning to knot the score at 1-1.

Neither team would score again until the fifth, when the Jackets capitalized on a fielding blunder to take the 2-1 lead. Mykel Rosario started the rally by reaching on an error and then got into scoring position by stealing second. David Riley then drove him in with an RBI hit.

Skidford came right back in the bottom half, using a hit batter to open the frame and eventually getting that runner in to tie the game at 2-2. The game remained knotted into the eighth inning, when Skidford got the game-winning run on a two-out hit to take the 3-2 win in extra innings.

Defiance rapped out eight hits in the loss but missed numerous scoring chances and had to settle for just two runs. Jesse led the way with three hits and two doubles and Michael Dushane added two hits.

Matt Kaighin got the start on the bump for DC and got the no-decision after leaving the game with the score tied at 2-2. Kaighin allowed just one earned run and three hits over five innings.

Patrick McKee (0-2) also pitched well in relief but took loss after being credited with the game-winning run in the eighth inning. McKee only gave up one hit in 2.1 innings but issued a pair of free passes.

DC (3-3) will have Wednesday off, before playing two more games on Thursday. The Jackets will take on Wooster at 10:00 am and then square off against Wilmington at 1:30 pm.