Defiance remained undefeated the Western Buckeye League after cruising to a 7-1 win over Elida in baseball action at Defiance's Booster Field on Thursday.
Senior righty Rob Zeigler, who had missed some starts with a sore back, allowed just two hits and fanned 10 while improving to 6-0 for Defiance (No. 1, Division II, Prep Baseball Report, No. 2 OHSBCA).
"Robbie still has some discomfort, but it was big for him to compete for six innings and give us a great performance," commented Defiance mentor Tom Held. "His velocity was very good, he had a good breaking ball and he had good command."
The Bulldogs (20-1, 7-0 WBL) scored a single run each in the first and second innings, before taking a 5-0 lead in the fourth against Elida (3-18, 1-8 WBL) with a trio of runs.
With one out, Austin Hancock singled to left before Dom Gentile reached on an infield single. When Zeigler was hit by a pitch, Defiance had the bases loaded.
Austin Yant followed with a grounder to third that was misplayed for an error, allowing Hancock and Gentile to score. A RBI ground-out by Adam Schaffer plated the third run.
"It was very important to get those three runs in the fourth," Held said. "Tonight we came out a little bit flat for whatever reason, which is a little concerning, but the guys got it going in that inning to give us some breathing room.
"It proved even more important when Elida loaded the bases with only one out in the seventh," added Held. "We were able to hold them to one there with a great defensive play and get out of it with only one run."
Gentile led Defiance with two singles and a homer while Weston Rivers added a single and double for the Bulldogs, who won 20 games for the 15th straight season. Alek Smith also homered for DHS while Schaffer added a double.
Josh Carder had a pair of singles for Elida.
Defiance returns to action today against Celina with a chance to secure at least a share of its seventh straight WBL championship and 23rd in school history. The Bulldogs take a 66-game league win streak into the contest.
"Tonight is a big game, obviously," concluded Held. "We're still banged up a little bit pitching-wise, and Celina is a quality team. They've beaten some very good teams this year, so it's going to be a challenge. I'm looking to hand the ball to Derek Turner and have Weston Rivers ready. Both have been throwing well and are ready to go."
Elida 000 000 1 - 1 4 2
Defiance 110 311 x - 7 9 1
Records: Defiance 20-1 (7-0 WBL), Elida 3-18 (1-8 WBL).
Winning pitcher: Rob Zeigler (6 innings, 0 runs, 2 hits, 10 strikeouts, 2 walks). Other: Mazen Kanough.
Losing pitcher: Kyle Hambleton (3 innings, 2 runs, 4 hits, 0 strikeouts, 3 walks). Other: David Diller.
Leading hitters: (Elida, 4 hits) - Josh Carder 2 singles. (Defiance, 9 hits) - Adam Shaffer double; Weston Rivers single, double; Dom Gentile 2 singles, home run; Alek Smith home run.