Jackets Take One of Two Games From Albion

ALBION, MICH.  --  The Defiance College baseball team traveled to Albion, Mich. for a non-conference doubleheader against Albion (Mich.) College and came away with a two-game split, defeating the Brits, 8-6, in game one, but lost the nightcap, 14-5.

In game one, Defiance (3-8) took the early lead with a run in the top of the first inning on a RBI-groundout by sophomore Michael Gilliland (Napoleon) with a runner on second base.  

Albion (7-3) later took the lead in the bottom of the fourth by plating four runs, but the Yellow Jackets came right back in the fifth with three scores on a series of defensive errors making the score 4-4.  The score didn't remain tied for long as the Brits got a run across home plate in the bottom of the frame to take a 5-4 advantage.

Both teams traded runs in the seventh inning with DC's run coming on a RBI-double by senior Nick Watkins (Lima/Central Catholic) as Albion still maintained a one-run margin, 6-5, after seven innings.  The difference in the game came in the top of the eighth as Defiance tallied three runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-RBI single by senior Tre DeVoe (Allen Park, Mich./Allen Park) with runners at second and third to give the Jackets an 8-6 lead. 

Albion would threaten to score in the bottom of the eighth with runners on second and third base, but a double play by Defiance ended the inning and the scoring threat, preserving a two run margin.  The Jackets then tallied three straight outs in Albion's final at-bats to go on to the 8-6 final.

DC totaled 15 hits with five players recording multi-hit games.  Seniors Zack Reed (Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek) and Quinten Harrington (Sandusky/Perkins) led the way with three hits each.  Harrington finished three-of-four with a pair of runs scored, while Reed posted a three-of-six effort with a run scored.

Junior Glen Collier (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville) and sophomore Tyler Weaver (Defiance) both went two-of-four at the plate with a run scored each.  Senior Mac Edwards (Kingston, Ontario/Jefferson CC) rounded out the multi-hitters going two-of-five and scoring two runs.

On the mound, senior Nick Peters (Macomb, Mich./Eisenhower) started the game and pitched five innings allowing five runs on nine hits and struck out three batters.  Sophomore Paris Creek (Bryan) came on to pitch two innings in relief and ended up as the pitcher of record to claim the win after giving up just a run on three hits.  Junior Cody Nelson (Clayton, Mich./Hudson) came on to finish the game, and picked up the save, after going two nearly perfect innings, allowing just a walk, and had one strikeout.

In game two, Defiance jumped out in front early again with a run in the top of the first thanks to a RBI-single by Weaver.  Albion then took the lead with two runs in the second on a RBI-single and a bases loaded walk to make the score 2-1.  

DC grabbed control in the fifth with four runs that included a two-RBI single by Weaver, and put the Jackets back out of front, 5-2.  But those would be the final runs for Defiance the remainder of the game and Albion went on to score 12 unanswered runs.

The Brits began the scoring with a run in the bottom of the sixth and then took the lead with a four-run seventh making the score 7-5.  Albion then broke the game open by scoring seven runs in the eighth en route to the 14-5 final.

The Defiance bats put up nine hits in the nightcap with Reed leading the way with a three-of-five effort to go along with a run scored and RBI.  Weaver was the only other Jacket to record a multi-hit game going two-of-three with a team-best three RBI.  Four other players each tallied a base hit in the game.

Four pitchers saw action for the Yellow Jackets with senior Dave Blanch (Alliston, Ont./Banting Memorial) getting the start and pitching 6.2 innings, allowing six runs, one earned, on five hits and had three strikeouts.  He was also given the loss and is now 0-2 overall for the season.

Defiance is scheduled to travel to Upland, Ind. on Wednesday, Mar. 22 for a single, nine-inning game against Taylor (Ind.) University.  The first pitch is slated for 5 p.m.