Konwinski, Reese Homer to Lead Yellow Jackets in HCAC Doubleheader

DEFIANCE, OHIO - Despite a rally-filled game two, the Defiance baseball team was unable to take a game from the Anderson University Ravens on Monday evening. A beautiful day at Craig A. Rutter Field saw the visitors climb to a 14-4 first game win, before holding off the DC offense in game two, taking the 9-8 victory. 

A potent Raven offense took charge of game one of the HCAC series. The visitors started the contest with four straight one-run innings before opening up a large lead with five runs in the eighth. 

The Yellow Jackets were able to put one run up in both the first and third innings before having their most offensively successful seventh. After a Tyler Weaver (Defiance) double and a Lucas Thomeier (Wickliffe) single, Garrett Sierra (Defiance) continued his strong season with a RBI single. Nate Kaffenbarger (DeGraff / Indian Lake) followed up with a hard hit ball to third, causing the AU fielder to overthrow first, bringing home Thomeier. 

A plethora of pitching staff found their way to the mound in game one for Head Coach Derek Woodley's side. Cohen Nies (Logansport, Ind. / Lewis-Cass) went a full six innings for DC. The sophomore struck out four Raven batters, taking his season total to 42, worthy of third highest marks on the HCAC strikeouts list. 

Despite the visitors opening up a 6-1 lead after four and a half innings, the Yellow Jackets were prepared to keep game two close. In a moment of deja vu for those in attendance, Troy Konwinski (Allen Park, Mich. / Allen Park) hit a solo-shot home run, his second of the game. The senior's season tally of three now leads the team. 

Jude Neary (Toledo / Cardinal Stritch Catholic) found his way home to continue the strong inning. Grant Vickery (Bellevue) was brought in by Thomeier to cut the Raven lead to just two. 

Michael Reese (Constantine, Mich. / Constantine) stepped up in the seventh, looking to help DC claw to the lead. The sophomore rocked a two-run homer out of Rutter Field, tieing the ball game at seven. 

The Ravens put up two runs in the top of the eighth via a home run of their own. DC once again mounted a comeback when Vickery singled, bringing home Kaffenbarger to cut the deficit to one. 

Despite the Yellow Jackets best efforts, Anderson held on for the tight 9-8 decision, stealing the series. 

Defiance's record now stands at 12-8-1 on the season, with a .500 mark of 3-3 in HCAC play. The Yellow Jackets will have a quick turnaround as they host Calvin College on Wednesday, April 10 at 4:00 pm.