Franklin at Defiance: Game One / Game Two

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Yellow Jackets got plenty of strong pitching on Saturday from their starting pitchers, Brad Timofeev and Brandon Portales, as the duo combined to hold Franklin to just four runs in 15 innings, but DC’s offense failed to get on track and the Grizzlies pulled out the 2-0 and 5-3 victories to win the series two games to one.

The two sides raced through the first game of the day in a brisk one hour and 37 minutes thanks to a pair of dominating pitching efforts. Timofeev (2-2) went the distance and allowed just two runs on seven hits, but took the tough luck loss as Franklin’s Andy Clark (4-0) held the Jackets scoreless, while scattering six hits in his seven strong innings.

Pitching continued to be the story in the second game as Portales carried a one hitter into the seventh inning before ending his day with seven strikeouts and two runs allowed in eight strong innings of work.

The teams battled through nine full innings gridlocked at 2-2 before the offenses finally broke through in the 10th inning.

Franklin loaded the bases with one out before scoring the go-ahead run on some trick base running and a clutch two-out hit. With the bases loaded and two outs, the Grizzlies Jim Swienconek took off for second base, inducing a throw. The other two FC runners then proceeded to advance 90 feet to take the 3-2 lead. The gap grew to 5-2 on a single to left off the bat of Ryan East before DC managed to record the final out of the inning.

The Jackets refused to go away easily however, as Kirk Jesse and Tim Pitro each reached to start the bottom of the 10th. A Timofeev single scored Jesse and put the potential tying runs on base.

FC’s closer, Eric Williams, got the second out before a Grizzly error loaded the bases with two outs. Defiance pinch hit with David Jackson, but Williams got Jackson to hit a check-swing roller to third to end the game.

Marcus Larson (3-0) went nine full innings and started the 10th for Franklin for the win, and Williams bounced back from the blown save on Friday to record his fourth save of the season.

Lenny Koesters (3-5), Timofeev (2-5) and LeTroy Harris (2-3) all had multi-hit games for DC in the nightcap.

Defiance (6-11, 1-5 HCAC) will play at the University of St. Francis on Sunday afternoon before hosting Ohio Northern on Tuesday at 4:00 pm.