DEFIANCE BASEBALL: BATT SHINES AGAIN FOR TOP-RANKED BULLDOGS AGAINST PARKWAY
Published: May 4, 2012 12:00PM
ROCKFORD -- Tyler Batt continued his streak of not allowing a run this spring with another strong outing for the Defiance baseball team, allowing three hits in five innings while striking out seven as the Bulldogs shut out Parkway on Thursday, 9-0.
"Tyler has been unreal this season," commented Defiance associate head coach Rick Weaver. "It seems since I've been here, there's been a senior who has stepped up and had a break-out season, a guy nobody would expect unless they're around the program. This season it's Tyler Batt, who has made the most out of his opportunities."
The Bulldogs (20-1, ranked No. 1 in the state in Division II), gave Batt (6-0, 0.00 ERA) all the run support he needed in the second inning after pushing across a pair of runs. The visitors broke open the game with six runs in the fourth to take a commanding 8-0 lead.
Nic Vittorio reached safely on an error to start the fourth frame, before moving to second on a bunt single by Jacob Moore. A sacrifice bunt by Joe Keween moved Vittorio and Moore up 90 feet before Dom Gentile walked to load the bases.
Number nine hitter Austin Hancock then singled to score Vittorio and keep the bases loaded for Anthony Kidston. The DHS lead-off man drove in Dom Gentile and Moore with a single to center. A bunt by Joe Gentile led to Hancock crossing the plate, while two batters later Shea Murray drove in Kidston and Joe Gentile to give the 'Dogs the 8-0 cushion.
"We got good production out of the bottom of our order today and it was Dom Gentile who got us going in the second inning with a big hit," said Weaver. "Austin Hancock also had a good day and Joe Keween had some very good at-bats. With the wind blowing in, our guys really kept their focus and once again our bunt game was very solid in the win."
Taylor Cooper threw a pair of strong innings in relief to close out the win for Defiance. Dom Gentile, Hancock and Moore each finished with a pair of singles.
The Bulldogs return to action today with a trip to Celina with a 56-game winning streak in the Western Buckeye League on the line.
Linescore
Defiance 020 601 0 - 9 10 1
Parkway 000 000 0 - 0 3 4
Records: Defiance 20-1, Parkway 13-7.
Winning pitcher: Tyler Batt (5 innings, 0 runs, 3 hits, 7 strikeouts, 0 walks). Other: Taylor Cooper.
Losing pitcher: Strader (51/3 innings, 9 runs, 9 hits, 3 strikeouts, 4 walks). Others: Rollins, Brondstader.
Leading hitters: (Defiance, 10 hits) - Shea Murray double; Jacob Moore 2 singles; Dom Gentile 2 singles; Austin Hancock 2 singles. (Parkway, 3 hits).