DC Baseball Wins Series Against Hanover to Begin HCAC Play

HANOVER, Ind. – The Yellow Jacket baseball team split a pair of games against Hanover on Saturday, losing game one by a final of 11-7 and winning the second contest 8-5. With the win on Friday evening over the Panthers and the split on Saturday, the Purple and Gold took the series against Hanover for the first time since 2005.

Defiance jumped out to a six-run lead through four innings in game one of the doubleheader. The Jackets received production from a multitude of batters, as six different players recorded an RBI.

DC pitcher Jake Taylor held the Panthers scoreless through five innings to let the offense build the lead before the senior pitcher got touched up for two runs in the sixth to finish his outing.  Taylor's final line was six innings pitched with two strikeouts, while giving up two runs on seven hits and one walk.

The Defiance bats added another run in the bottom of the sixth to increase their lead back to five runs heading into the final three innings.

Hanover responded with a run in the top of the seventh to make the score 7-3 and then exploded for six runs in the eighth to grab a 9-7 advantage. The Panthers tacked on two more runs in the ninth while holding DC scoreless to complete the comeback victory.

After the stunning defeat, the Jackets had to quickly regroup to get ready for the rubber game of the series. The Purple and Gold showed its resolve and composure and jumped out to a 4-0 lead through five innings of play.

The Panthers and Jackets traded blows in the sixth inning, with each side scoring a run. Then in the seventh, Hanover came back once again and plated three runs in the frame to tie the score at 5-5 and held DC scoreless in the bottom of the inning to set the stage for another dramatic finish.

The Jackets held the Panthers' offense scoreless in the top half of the eighth, and then received a clutch bases loaded single from Aaron Helland to break the deadlock and take a 7-5 lead. DC then pulled off a double steal of second and home, as Kohlhofer crossed the dish to give the Purple and Gold a three-run lead.

Senior reliever Alex Schomaeker promptly closed the door on the Panthers, as the pitcher tossed a perfect ninth inning en route to his second win of the season.

On the afternoon, the Jackets' offense was led by Helland. The junior recorded a batting average of .625 on five hits, two of which were doubles, in eight at bats. Helland drove in four runs and swiped two bases to complete his standout day.

With the win, the Purple and Gold is off to its best start in recent history with a mark of 8-4. The Jackets begin Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play with a record of 2-1.

The team is set to host Trine on Wednesday, March 27 for DC's home-opener. The game is set to begin at 4:15 p.m.