Grizzlies Slug Past Defiance for Pair of Wins on the Diamond

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Yellow Jackets could not slow a powerful Franklin College lineup on Friday, as the Grizzlies piled up 30 runs in the doubleheader to secure two victories over Defiance College. Franklin exploded for 16 runs in the opener to win 16-4, before rallying for a 14-9 win in the nightcap.

The opener started with Franklin piling up 16 runs over the first four innings to take a commanding 16-2 advantage. DC managed a pair of late tallies but could not overcome the sizeable deficit, before falling 16-4. Franklin pounded out 17 hits in the win, while Defiance managed eight but did not collect an extra-base hit. Casey Kahsen led the way with a 2-2 showing at the plate for the Jackets, while Braden Brugler and Nick Welling each came off the bench to go 1-1 with a run scored.

The runs continued to score at a high rate in the second game of the afternoon, as Defiance struck for runs in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings to build an 8-5 lead going into the seventh inning. The Jackets could not hold onto the cushion however, as the Franklin offense unleashed for four runs in the bottom of the seventh and five more in the bottom of the eighth to come from behind to take the 14-9 victory. The Grizzlies used the late rally to overcome five defensive errors and DC's 16-13 edge in the hit column.

Several Yellow Jackets turned in multi-hit performances in the nightcap, as Welling went 3-4 with two runs batted in, Alex Timofeev went 3-5 with three runs, Tim Pitro doubled twice and scored a pair of runs and Kirk Jesse swatted a solo home run, while going 2-5 on the game.

Defiance (8-10, 2-4 HCAC) and Franklin (12-5, 2-0 HCAC) will round out the three-game series on Saturday morning, with a nine-inning game scheduled to begin at 10:00 am.