Wentworth Tops Yellow Jackets in 11 Innings

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.  --  A Defiance error led to the game-tying run in the top of the eighth for Wentworth, and the Leopards went on to take the 3-2 win against DC on Tuesday morning.

The Yellow Jackets mustered only two runs on four hits in the 11-inning struggle and only scored in one inning. Facing a 1-0 deficit, Defiance pushed a pair of runs across the dish to take the one-run lead after seven.

Tim Pitro and Aaron Stewart each reached safely to start the rally and advanced to second and third on a ground out. After the second out was recorded on an infield fly, both runners moved up on a Wentworth balk. An error on the third baseman then allowed Stewart to score the go-ahead run.

The lead would be short lived however, as a pair of Defiance fielding blunders led to an unearned run in the eighth for Wentworth and knotted the score at 2-2.

Neither team would dent the scoreboard again until Wentworths Doug Papuga led off the 11th with a double and moved to third on an infield ground out. The next Leopard hitter bounced a ball to Kirk Jesse, but Papuga beat Jesses throw to the plate and Wentworth took the 3-2 lead.

DC did not go quietly in the bottom half, as Pitro reached first to start the frame after being hit by a pitch. The Jackets advanced him to third base before Casey Kahsen struck out looking to end the game.

Matt Wilson was solid on the mound for Defiance, tossing six innings without yielding an earned run. The sophomore retired six hitters on strikes and allowed four hits. Matt Kaighin and Stewart combined to pitch the final five innings, giving up one earned run on two hits and striking out seven.

Defiance (0-3) will play a pair on Wednesday when it takes on Olivet in a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 am.