Anderson at Defiance Box Score

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance mustered just one run on four hits on Friday and fell, 5-1, to Anderson in the first of a three-game set against the Ravens. Tim Pitro collected two of the Yellow Jackets’ hits and scored their lone run of the game.

The teams zipped through the first two innings as Brandon Portales and AU’s hurler Eric Smith posted zeroes into the top of the third when the Ravens cashed in on a DC fielding miscue to break through.

AU’s rally started with a leadoff walk which was followed up by a fielding error by Portales a sacrifice bunt attempt. The bases were then loaded when Peter Whiting legged out an infield single on another bunt and yet another infield hit followed by a pair of sacrifice flies led the 3-0 lead for the Ravens.

DC held Anderson scoreless in the top of the fourth and cut into the lead with a single run in the bottom half of the frame. Pitro led off with his second base knock and moved to second on a walk by Mike Hill before taking third base on an AU balk. LeTroy Harris then slapped a ball to the right side to allow Pitro to scamper home for DC’s only run of the game.

Anderson would push across insurance tallies in the eighth and ninth innings but would not need them as Smith (4-2) settled in and finished off the complete game effort on the bump. Smith allowed just four hits and struck out 11 Yellow Jacket batters while recording another 11 outs via the ground ball.

Portales (1-2) suffered the hard-luck loss for DC as the freshman southpaw turned in eight strong innings of work, allowing just two earned runs on six hits.

DC (10-18, 5-9 HCAC) will play a pair of games at Anderson on Saturday before playing at Ohio Northern on Sunday.