Jackets spilt in final home doubleheader of the regular season

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College Baseball team split its final double header of the season, falling in the first game to Bluffton University 3-2 and winning the second 7-1.

The first game opened up with the Jackets giving Bluffton their first two runs of the game, as the Beavers scored both runs in the top of the first off of two separate errors. They would add another run in the top of the second inning to take a three-run lead. The Jackets looked poised to for a big inning in the bottom half of the second when they had the bases loaded with only one out. However, two consecutive strikeouts later, DC would end the inning stranding all three runs on base. In the bottom of the fourth, the Jackets got on the board as a result of some heads-up base running by Eric Tipton, who stole home. In the following inning, DC again had the bases loaded with only out, and again, the Jackets failed to score and left the bases loaded. Jordan Wack brought DC within one in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single, but DC was unable to put another run on the board by the end of the game.

Tyler Stork gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Tipton went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, while Wack, Lenny Koesters, and Jeremy Hawkins each picked up a hit in the game.

In the second game, DC scored first on an RBI single in the bottom of the first by Eric Schwab. Bluffton would tie the game 1-1 in the top of the third, but the Jackets broke the game open in the bottom half of the inning. DC put up four runs in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI singles by Jeremy Vance and Zach Metzner, a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Hawkins, and a run by Metzner on an error. DC put up two more runs in the fifth as the Jackets cruised to the victory.

James Yenser picked up his fourth win of the year, a complete game four-hitter with seven strikeouts in seven innings. Metzner was 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Schwab, Vance, and Tim Yenser each had two hits in the game, while Yenser and Vance each scored two runs.

DC ends the regular season with a record of 15-24 overall and 7-14 in the HCAC.