ARCHBOLD -- Anthony Kidston hit two doubles, a home run and plated seven runs as No. 1-ranked Defiance cruised to 17-1, five-inning victory over Archbold on the road on Tuesday night.
Rob Zeigler added a double and a home run while Joe Gentile hit a single and a home run for the Bulldogs, who are ranked No. 1 in Division II in the latest OHSBCA poll. DHS scored eight run in the first inning on the way to the victory.
"Anthony had a great day on a good hitters day ... the wind wasn't blowing in like it has been all spring," stated Defiance mentor Tom Held. "As a team, we hit the ball hard all game long and it was great to see us score some runs very early in the ballgame."
Weston Rivers earned the win for Defiance (23-1), allowing no runs on just one hit in three innings of work. The lefty struck out three and walked two. Taylor Cooper and Zeigler each pitched an inning for the Bulldogs.
"We gave Weston an 8-0 lead, and he went out there and threw well," said Held. "I thought our game against Bath (on Monday) was as good a game as we had played all season, but this one is right up there with it. We hit the ball very well, our pitching was very good and once again our defense played extremely well. We're playing with a lot of confidence right now."
Defiance is back in action today at Booster Field in Defiance to face Napoleon in a sectional championship matchup beginning at 5 p.m. The Wildcats defeated Defiance 3-0 in the sectional finals a year ago at Defiance on the way to making a run to regionals.
"We know we're playing a good team in Napoleon that is playing its best baseball of the season," concluded Held. "We're going to need to continue to play well if we expect to get a win against a very good ballclub."
Linescore
Defiance 813 50 - 17 14 0
Archbold 000 01 - 1 3 2
Records: Defiance 23-1, Archbold 13-12.
Winning pitcher: Weston Rivers (3 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts, 2 walks). Other: Taylor Cooper, Rob Zeigler.
Losing pitcher: Tyson Schnitkey (3 innings, 12 runs, 9 hits, 1 strikeout, 3 walks). Other: Kolin Schilt.
Leading hitters: (Defiance, 14 hits) - Anthony Kidston 2 doubles, home run, 7 RBI; Rob Zeigler double, home run; Shea Murray 2 singles; Joe Gentile single, home run; Dom Romero double; Weston Rivers double; Jacob Moore triple. (Archbold, 3 hits).