Spartans Split With Defiance
DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Manchester University baseball team broke through for 12 runs in the second game of Tuesday’s Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader, helping the Spartans to a doubleheader split at Defiance College.
The Yellow Jackets edged Manchester in a low scoring 4-2 affair in Tuesday’s opener. The Black & Gold rebounded with 12 runs and12 hits in the second game of the day to earn a 12-11 victory in 11 innings to earn the split.
Manchester’s win to end the day also snapped a nine-game skid for the Spartans.
Spartan Stats
The Spartan bats were limited to seven hits in the opening game of Tuesday’s doubleheader. Both Brady Perez (Rochester, Ind./Rochester) and Mitchell Baker (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) had two hits apiece. Perez launched his seventh home run of the season in the 2nd inning.
Manchester’s only other score came in the 8th inning when Zach White (Logansport, Ind./Logansport) was able to score following an error in the field.
On the mound, Austin Kresl (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) worked 3 1/3 innings of relief and allowed just one hit while striking out six.
In the second game of the day, Manchester was able to stake itself out to a 4-0 lead. Cole Filson (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) got the Spartans on the scoreboard in the top of the 1st inning with an RBI double to right. The Black & Gold would then add three more runs in the 2nd inning. Zach Thomas, Mitchell Baker, and Zach White all drove in runs to put Manchester in front 4-0.
Defiance would take a brief lead after scoring five runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning.
Jared Holley (Wabash, Ind./Wabash) would tie the game at 5 in the top of the 4th after hitting his first career collegiate home run.
The host Yellow Jackets would respond with another five-run inning to move back in front 10-8. DC would take a three-run lead after adding a single run in the home half of the 7th inning.
Manchester was able to rally to tie the game at 11 follow a three-run 8th inning. Rocco Hanes (Ossian, Ind./Norwell) connected on a two-run double, and Cole Filson chipped in an RBI groundout.
The Black & Gold were able to go back in front in extra innings as an error in the field by Defiance plated the go ahead run in the 11th inning.
Carter Hooks (Rochester, Ind./Rochester) pitched three innings of relief and shut the door in the 11th to earn his third win on the mound. Hooks struck out eight batters.
Cody Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) also had a strong day on the mound in relief. Jackson threw 4 2/3 innings and allowed just one run on three hits while striking out three.
In the second game of the day, four Spartans collected two or more hits with Jared Holley leading the way with three hits. Both Rocco Hanes and Cole Filson drove in three runs while Zach White added two RBI.
Up Next:
Manchester will return to action tomorrow night, Wednesday April 20, with a single, nine-inning contest at NAIA member Indiana Tech.
First pitch from Fort Wayne is scheduled for 7 p.m
