Jackets double-up Panthers in HCAC opener

HANOVER, Ind.—The Defiance College Baseball squad, scoring in each of the first seven innings, started-off the Heartland Conference slate with an 8-4 win at Hanover College on Friday afternoon.

DC senior right-hander Russ Lupica (2-1) went all nine innings, allowing just three earned runs and striking out three, while inducing 13 ground outs. Third-baseman Eric Schwab went 3-for-4 at the dish with four runs and a double. Junior right-fielder Mike Hill drove in three runs in a 1-for-4 day, one coming on a double in the seventh inning. Centerfielder James Yenser, a senior, went 3-for-6 and drove in two runs on two singles.

Senior designated hitter Jeremy Vance scored a run in a 1-for-5 day, while Phil Kosier, a junior first-baseman went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI on one of his two hit-by-pitches.

The Panthers committed five errors to DC’s two, while the Jackets forced out HC starter Tyler Punt after five earned-runs in four innings and plated two runs against reliever Brett Thomas.

The Jackets (5-6, 1-0 HCAC) with face the Panthers in a double-header tomorrow with first-pitch scheduled for noon at L.S. Ayres Field in Hanover.