Seven-Run Eighth Inning Propels Beavers Past Defiance

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Stephen Leskow held a powerful Bluffton lineup scoreless through his first seven innings of work on Thursday afternoon at Rutter Field, but the Beavers broke through with a seven-run rally in the eighth to take a 7-2 win over DC in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tilt.

The Jackets took the lead with a pair of runs in the fifth inning when Brent James lofted a double down the right field line to score Bryn Lehman and Brent Kremer with two outs in the frame. The two-run double was the only offense Defiance would muster on the day and gave the Purple and Gold a 2-0 edge.

Leskow made the lead hold into the eighth inning, as the Defiance, Ohio native cruised through his first seven innings. Bluffton managed just three hits prior to the decisive eighth inning, before erupting for seven runs on seven hits to spoil Leskow's afternoon.

DC did not recover from the big inning, as BU's Kelly Barnes went the distance on the bump, striking out three batters in the ninth to finish off the complete game gem.

James went 2-4 at the plate and accounted for DC's only two runs batted in, while Lehman and David Riley also had a pair of hits in the losing effort.

Defiance (5-25, 1-14 HCAC) is slated to begin a three-game series at Transylvania (17-7, 8-4 HCAC) with a single game on Friday at 4:00 pm. The Jackets and Pioneers will then play two on Saturday, starting at noon.