Baseball Spends Senior Sunday Pitted in HCAC Action

DEFIANCE, OHIO - Nine Defiance College baseball seniors were recognized for their contributions to the program on Sunday afternoon. The senior sunday was highlighted by a pair of contests with the visiting Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers, in which the Yellow Jackets fell 6-2 and 10-1. 

It did not take long for the DC dugout to have something to cheer about. With his first at-bat, Troy Konwinski sent a double into left field. The two-base effort was Konwinski's 35th of his career, solely placing him atop the doubles chart in the DC record book. 

Defiance pushed HCAC leading Rose on the back foot early in the first game. After ate Kaffenbarger (DeGraff / Indian Lake) found his way on base, Jude Neary (Toledo / Cardinal Stritch Catholic) launched a ball into the outfield, scoring the first run of the contest. 

Strong pitching from the visitors was able to subdue the Yellow Jacket offense until the seventh inning. Ben Bucklew stepped up to the plate and took a swing at the first pitch. The sophomore cleared the left field fence with his third home run of the season. 

In between games, Defiance recognized nine players who have dedicated commitment to the program. Grant Vickery (Bellevue), Michael Gilliland (Napoleon), Tyler Weaver (Defiance), Paris Creek (Bryan), Garrett Sierra (Defiance), Tanner Stippich (Lima / Allen East), Troy Konwinski, Mason Rapp (Fortville, Ind. / Mt. Vernon), and T.J. Scott (Cincinnati / Oak Hills) were each honored in front of a large Defiance contingent. 

Game two looked to be off to a similar start in the second inning. After Gilliland doubled to left center, Weaver hit a deep shot into center, bringing his fellow senior home on the sac fly. 

After falling into the 1-0 hole, Rose-Hulman out a pair of four run innings on the board, flying to an 8-1 lead after four. 

The visitors found success on both sides of the ball for much of the game, ultimately take home the 10-1 win. 

Defiance's record falls to 15-13-1 on the season, with a 5-7 mark in the HCAC. The Yellow Jackets will return to action Tuesday, April 23, as they host Capital at 4:00 pm.