Welcome back to the Diamond! Since last you read, the Defiance College Baseball team was gearing up to kick off the 2014 season - and now is on the verge of completing it. This year has certainly seen its share of red lights, traffic jams and detours. And although, the Jackets have just eight wins on the year and have had their cliche troubles with pitching and defense - they have continued to show resilience no matter the opponent and no matter the situation.
DC has just three games left on their schedule this season - Friday and Saturday (5/2 & 5/3) the Fightin' Engineers of Rose-Hulman come to town to cap the 2014 regular season. Also this weekend, the Defiance College baseball staff and athletic department will recognize the program's five seniors; Darin Waterman, Aaron Helland, Brandon Riley, Pat Masopust and Trey Trumpower.
Waterman's career numbers include a .316 batting average in 459 at-bats (third most all-time) with 34 career doubles (tied for school record), 10 home runs and 76 RBI - Darin is also fifth in hits all time at Defiance with 145. All this to go along with a career 4.97 ERA, and top five career totals in innings pitched and strikeouts (206.1 and 188, respectively).
Helland, a Defiance native and [along with Waterman] a four-year starter, already holds the career record for stolen bases at DC with 79, and sports a lifetime .257 batting average in 443 at-bats - which is good for fifth best in school history. Aaron also has the fifth most walks in program history with 66 free passes drawn.
Riley has been a three year letter-winner for the Jackets (all behind the plate), after transferring from Ohio University in the fall of 2011. Brandon's played in 45 games, starting 25 of them along the way as a battery mate for the DC pitching staff. He's collected a .226 batting average while consistently putting the ball in play - managing only 12 strikeouts in 103 total plate appearances.
Masopust, a converted catcher and now everyday first basemen for the Jackets, will exit with a .272 career average in 235 at-bats and 85 games played. Patty Baseball also boasts a .391 on-base percentage and is top ten all-time in putouts with 402.
Trumpower, a Loudonville (OH) native has been a four-year letter winner for DC - all in the outfield. And a catalyst for the culture change that Head Coach Derek Woodley has been able to establish in his seven years at the helm of the DC Baseball program.
Showing posts with label HCAC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HCAC. Show all posts
May 1, 2014
February 27, 2014
Opening Ceremonies
Tomorrow, February 28th, the Defiance College baseball team will open up its 2014 season in great southern fashion as they'll travel to Danville, KY to play a four game set against Calvin College and Centre College, respectively. The Jackets will kick off the weekend with a 3pm start (2/28) against Calvin, followed by a doubleheader against the two teams Saturday, and a single-9 vs. Centre for Sunday's getaway game.
Opening Day will feature a Yellow Jacket team (20-16, 13-11) coming off one of the most successful seasons in recent memory, including the third most wins in program history and first playoff berth in nine years - against Calvin College (16-25, 15-13), who finished fourth in the MIAA and earned a trip to their conference tournament. Tomorrow's game will also serve as the first of the season for the Knights.
Opening Day will feature a Yellow Jacket team (20-16, 13-11) coming off one of the most successful seasons in recent memory, including the third most wins in program history and first playoff berth in nine years - against Calvin College (16-25, 15-13), who finished fourth in the MIAA and earned a trip to their conference tournament. Tomorrow's game will also serve as the first of the season for the Knights.
August 22, 2013
Regularly Scheduled (Season)
Hot off the press! Defiance College baseball has released its 2014 regular season schedule. Get your copy now, cause they're going fast. The 2014 season follows one of the most successful years for DC Baseball in recent memory - a year which saw the mark set for the third highest win total in program history, the first playoff birth since 2004 and the most wins since 1995 - as well as eight (8) Yellow Jackets earning All-HCAC honors. The 2013 Jackets also set a school record for most wins since joining the HCAC in 2011 (13) - DC then recorded twelve (12) wins by two runs or less (doubling their total from the 2012 season).
The 2014 season will see the Yellow Jackets travel to Earlham (Richmond, IN), Mount St. Joseph (Cincinnati, OH), Hanover (Hanover, IN) and Franklin (Franklin, IN) for conference weekend three-game sets. Defiance will also host Transylvania, Rose-Hulman and Anderson on campus at Craig A. Rutter Field, to complete their HCAC weekend matchups.
The Jackets will play mid-week conference matchups against nearby Manchester (N. Manchester, IN) and Bluffton (Bluffton, OH) as well, while also taking on Calvin, Centre, Ohio Northern, Ohio Christian, and Lourdes in non-conference play.
To top all that off, Defiance will continue its traveling ways and once again travel south during spring break for an eight-day road trip; Spring Trip schedule and details have yet to be finalized, but once they are look for them on the Defiance Athletics' website as well as right here on the Diamond!
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond
The 2014 season will see the Yellow Jackets travel to Earlham (Richmond, IN), Mount St. Joseph (Cincinnati, OH), Hanover (Hanover, IN) and Franklin (Franklin, IN) for conference weekend three-game sets. Defiance will also host Transylvania, Rose-Hulman and Anderson on campus at Craig A. Rutter Field, to complete their HCAC weekend matchups.
The Jackets will play mid-week conference matchups against nearby Manchester (N. Manchester, IN) and Bluffton (Bluffton, OH) as well, while also taking on Calvin, Centre, Ohio Northern, Ohio Christian, and Lourdes in non-conference play.
To top all that off, Defiance will continue its traveling ways and once again travel south during spring break for an eight-day road trip; Spring Trip schedule and details have yet to be finalized, but once they are look for them on the Defiance Athletics' website as well as right here on the Diamond!
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond
May 13, 2013
A Memorable Finish
Just four days ago, this baseball program was thought of as the underdog, and in some respects it probably still is, but it was also thought to have been the lucky dog - which it most certainly proved to be untrue during the 2013 HCAC Tournament. Entering into their first conference tournament since 2004, the Jackets squeaked into the tourney picture on the last day of the regular season thanks to an Earlham sweep over Rose-Hulman. DC certainly had a chip (or maybe a Frito or two) on their shoulder as they felt they deserved to be there, when maybe not many others did.
Now although the result of their two game swing in the conference tournament may not have indicated that, the way those two games played out most definitely did. The Jackets were comfortable in the element and welcomed the underdog role, all at the same time completely dismantling the lucky rumors.
Game One: No. 4 seed Defiance had been pitted against No. 1 seed and conference regular season champ, Manchester, in the first round of tournament play. Because I must give credit where credit is due, Manchester, who was also the host team - may have had the best 3B line hecklers this coach has come across. So kudos, gentlemen. The Spartans, who in their first two games against the Jackets lit up the scoreboard pretty well (known understatement), came into the tournament as the logical pick to win and advance to the Mideast Baseball Regional.
After two and a half innings of play the Jackets had the edge, leading 2-0 on Gary Levengood's two separate RBI singles in the second and third innings, respectively. Manchester would go on to respond in the latter half of the third, plating six runs of their own to go up 6-2. The Spartans would only add one more run in the contest. Fast forward to the top of the ninth inning - Levengood recorded his fourth hit of the day as he singled to center field. JR Matt Staels came on to pinch run, as DC was down 7-5. A two out single by FR Ryan Kohlhofer sent Staels to second and put the tying run on first base. JR Aaron Helland knocked in Staels on a single to the left side, advancing the tying run to second and bringing up SO Chris Donese.
The next turn of events has been on a constant replay in my mind since about 2:30pm Thursday (5/9). Donese singled past the Manchester shortstop - Kohlhofer who was off on the crack of the bat and serving as the tying run, rounded third and turned the jets on for home. Unfortunately the ball was fielded cleanly by the left fielder, and the race started - who would get there first? The Jackets second baseman or the ball just unleashed from the Spartan outfield?
As badly as my eyes wanted to see the home plate umpire signal the runner safe, he did the complete opposite - calling Kohlhofer out at the plate to end the game and send the Jackets to the losers' bracket of the tournament. The Jackets did outhit a Manchester team who cracked the top 10 in the polls this year, by six - recording seventeen hits on the day and in the process, immediately shedding the lucky dog title.
Game Two: Win or go home. No. 2 Anderson had been defeated by No. 3 Franklin in the second game Thursday (5/9) which dropped the Ravens to losers' bracket to take on the Jackets - with the winner going on to face the loser of the Manchester/Franklin matchup. Another one run game, another solid offensive performance for the Yellow Jackets - outhitting Anderson 11-10, and another tying run left unscored in the top half of the ninth. Singles by Darin Waterman and Pat Masopust started the 9th inning off for DC, once again putting the tying run on base as DC was down 5-3. SR Andy Habecker, in what turned out to be his last collegiate at-bat, selflessly executed the sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. SO Joel Musser drew a walk to load the bases, and now served as the go-ahead run. One out. In stepped the catcher, Levengood, looking to continue his tourney hot streak - an infield fly notched two outs. Down to their final out, pinch hitter FR Ben Weber reached on an error by the Anderson shortstop, scoring Waterman and putting the tying run 90 feet away.
With the chance to at least tie the game and possibly take the lead with a base hit, Kohlhofer stepped back into the spotlight. Battling a count to 2-2 after going down 0-2 to start the at-bat, the freshman's bat lagged just enough through the zone for a swinging strike three. Bringing the conference tournament and the 2013 season to an end for the Yellow Jackets.
Two and out is most certainly not the result we expected, but heads were held high after walking off that field, and deservedly so. This DC team notched the most wins in program history since 1995 as well as the first 20-win season since 1995 and the aforementioned first conference tournament birth since 2004.
As I reflect back on this season, not only will it go down in recent memory in terms of the Defiance College baseball program as a whole, it has also been etched into this my own personal memory bank for a long time to come. Thank you to all of you that have supported Defiance Baseball not only this season but in the past as well. I'd also like to bid farewell to the six seniors on this team that will not be joining us again next year - a great group of guys who I have complete faith will all go on to great things. Best of luck in every challenge and opportunity that presents itself to you - Hum Babe!
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond
Now although the result of their two game swing in the conference tournament may not have indicated that, the way those two games played out most definitely did. The Jackets were comfortable in the element and welcomed the underdog role, all at the same time completely dismantling the lucky rumors.
Game One: No. 4 seed Defiance had been pitted against No. 1 seed and conference regular season champ, Manchester, in the first round of tournament play. Because I must give credit where credit is due, Manchester, who was also the host team - may have had the best 3B line hecklers this coach has come across. So kudos, gentlemen. The Spartans, who in their first two games against the Jackets lit up the scoreboard pretty well (known understatement), came into the tournament as the logical pick to win and advance to the Mideast Baseball Regional.
After two and a half innings of play the Jackets had the edge, leading 2-0 on Gary Levengood's two separate RBI singles in the second and third innings, respectively. Manchester would go on to respond in the latter half of the third, plating six runs of their own to go up 6-2. The Spartans would only add one more run in the contest. Fast forward to the top of the ninth inning - Levengood recorded his fourth hit of the day as he singled to center field. JR Matt Staels came on to pinch run, as DC was down 7-5. A two out single by FR Ryan Kohlhofer sent Staels to second and put the tying run on first base. JR Aaron Helland knocked in Staels on a single to the left side, advancing the tying run to second and bringing up SO Chris Donese.
The next turn of events has been on a constant replay in my mind since about 2:30pm Thursday (5/9). Donese singled past the Manchester shortstop - Kohlhofer who was off on the crack of the bat and serving as the tying run, rounded third and turned the jets on for home. Unfortunately the ball was fielded cleanly by the left fielder, and the race started - who would get there first? The Jackets second baseman or the ball just unleashed from the Spartan outfield?
As badly as my eyes wanted to see the home plate umpire signal the runner safe, he did the complete opposite - calling Kohlhofer out at the plate to end the game and send the Jackets to the losers' bracket of the tournament. The Jackets did outhit a Manchester team who cracked the top 10 in the polls this year, by six - recording seventeen hits on the day and in the process, immediately shedding the lucky dog title.
Game Two: Win or go home. No. 2 Anderson had been defeated by No. 3 Franklin in the second game Thursday (5/9) which dropped the Ravens to losers' bracket to take on the Jackets - with the winner going on to face the loser of the Manchester/Franklin matchup. Another one run game, another solid offensive performance for the Yellow Jackets - outhitting Anderson 11-10, and another tying run left unscored in the top half of the ninth. Singles by Darin Waterman and Pat Masopust started the 9th inning off for DC, once again putting the tying run on base as DC was down 5-3. SR Andy Habecker, in what turned out to be his last collegiate at-bat, selflessly executed the sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. SO Joel Musser drew a walk to load the bases, and now served as the go-ahead run. One out. In stepped the catcher, Levengood, looking to continue his tourney hot streak - an infield fly notched two outs. Down to their final out, pinch hitter FR Ben Weber reached on an error by the Anderson shortstop, scoring Waterman and putting the tying run 90 feet away.
With the chance to at least tie the game and possibly take the lead with a base hit, Kohlhofer stepped back into the spotlight. Battling a count to 2-2 after going down 0-2 to start the at-bat, the freshman's bat lagged just enough through the zone for a swinging strike three. Bringing the conference tournament and the 2013 season to an end for the Yellow Jackets.
Two and out is most certainly not the result we expected, but heads were held high after walking off that field, and deservedly so. This DC team notched the most wins in program history since 1995 as well as the first 20-win season since 1995 and the aforementioned first conference tournament birth since 2004.
As I reflect back on this season, not only will it go down in recent memory in terms of the Defiance College baseball program as a whole, it has also been etched into this my own personal memory bank for a long time to come. Thank you to all of you that have supported Defiance Baseball not only this season but in the past as well. I'd also like to bid farewell to the six seniors on this team that will not be joining us again next year - a great group of guys who I have complete faith will all go on to great things. Best of luck in every challenge and opportunity that presents itself to you - Hum Babe!
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond
May 7, 2013
Tourney Tweets
This past Sunday (5/6) saw the Defiance College baseball team qualify for its first conference tournament since 2004 - greatly aided by the Earlham College sweep over Rose-Hulman. The full story on the Jackets' tourney birth as according to the Diamond, can be found here.
The emotion and reaction from the DC players and staff once we found out we had made the tournament has been hard for me to put into words. So instead of trying to summarize it, I figured why not let the emotion speak for itself. Enjoy a first hand look at the reactions from players, staff, and even a few fans of the program.
The emotion and reaction from the DC players and staff once we found out we had made the tournament has been hard for me to put into words. So instead of trying to summarize it, I figured why not let the emotion speak for itself. Enjoy a first hand look at the reactions from players, staff, and even a few fans of the program.
Defiance Baseball qualifies for the HCAC Tournament for the 1st time since 2004 after Earlham completed the sweep of Rose-Hulman! #DCBB
— Defiance Athletics (@DC_Athletics) May 5, 2013
Started at the bottom now we here! #letsgo #DCBASEBALL
— Ryan Kohlhacker (@rkohlhofer2) May 5, 2013
Huge congrats to @dcbaseball16 and the rest of #DCBaseball. Proud to be the other half of #teamspringtime with you guys!
— Kaycee Butt (@kayceebutt22) May 5, 2013
Conference tournament here we come baby! #DCBaseball #StartedFromTheBottom
— Matt Staels (@WasheeWashee21) May 5, 2013
We're in baby!!!! Wooooooo #DCBaseball
— Chris Douglas (@TheReal_CDoug) May 5, 2013
Speechless!!! Craziest two days of my life. But we're dancin baby #surviveandadvance #DCBaseball #hcactourney #startedfromthebottom
— Chris Donese (@doedoe_1) May 5, 2013
Earlham sweeps Rose Hulman. Congratulations to DC Baseball for earning a berth in the HCAC Tournament! #proud #200feet
— Coach Woodley (@DCBaseball16) May 5, 2013
Hope no one has packed up their practice gear and equipment yet, cause #DCBaseball is playoff bound! #HCACTournament #d3b
— Cameron Castro (@OnOffTheDiamond) May 5, 2013
Congrats to the woodman @dcbaseball16 and @onoffthediamond and the whole #DCbaseball squad on making it to the HCAC tourney. #200feet
— Jacob Hindall (@JKHindo64) May 5, 2013
Whirlwind of events and emotions yesterday.. Graduated college and made conference tourney.. Lets take advantage! #DCBaseball
— Jonathan Murphy (@MurphAlert2) May 6, 2013
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond
May 6, 2013
Postseason Bound!
There are few words that can really sum up one of the more emotional roller coaster rides in Defiance College baseball's recent history. The bumpy ride began this past Friday (5/3) at 4pm and concluded Sunday (5/6) at approximately 6pm.
It is with great pride and excitement that I'm able to say WE ARE POSTSEASON BOUND!
For the first time since 2004, the Yellow Jackets have qualified for their conference tournament - which adds to a season that has already seen the most wins and first 20 win season since 1995. Some may even say the roller coaster ride started in February, when DC was picked to finish last in the preseason conference poll.
The scenario was as such: the Jackets were under the impression that two wins against Transylvania in the last 3-game series of the season would secure them a spot in the HCAC conference tournament (as the #4 seed) - in conjunction with those two wins, DC also needed second place Anderson to win one out of three against sixth place Franklin, to hold off the Grizzlies and keep them out of the mix.
In Friday's GM 1 action v. Transy, the Jackets went on to win by a score of 2-1 lead predominantly by pitching performances from three members of the Yellow Jacket staff. SP Darin Waterman secured his fourth win of the season by tossing 7 innings and surrendering the only Pioneer run of the game. Waterman exited and left the ball in the hands of Aaron Patterson who threw a scoreless eighth inning on just seven pitches. SR Alex Schomaeker (#AlShoe) then came on in the bottom half of the ninth to close the door and earn his ninth save of the year - bettering Patterson' seven pitch inning with just one pitch per batter, retiring the side.
Following the game, we found out that Franklin had claimed game one over Anderson in an offensive explosion. Still thinking that the Ravens from Anderson would take at least one game of the doubleheader against Franklin the following day - we felt as if a DH split with Transy still got us in the Heartland dance.
In Game 2 of the Defiance/Transy series the Jackets did their part. Defeating the Pioneers 6-3, led by SR Jake Taylor's team leading sixth win of the year while FR Ryan Kohlhofer turned in a 2-4 performance with 2 RBI and SR 3B Andy Habecker added three hits of his own. Patterson and Schomaeker would again toss scoreless eighth and ninth innings, respectively - earning Schomaeker his conference leading tenth save on the year. Following the game, news traveled that Franklin again had beaten Anderson to go up 2-0 in the series.
From there on the situation was simple - if DC swept the series against Transy, the Jackets were in, regardless of the outcome of Franklin's last game v. Anderson. However, if the Grizzlies got the job done against Anderson and DC fell to the Pioneers, Defiance would be on the outside looking in come tourney time.
Unfortunately the latter is exactly what happened. Defiance lost game three to Transylvania 3-0, unable to muster any offense including only 3 hits against a very good Pioneer pitching performance - Franklin then went on to complete the sweep of second place Anderson and clinch their spot in the conference tournament. Needless to say, the four-hour bus ride back to Northwest Ohio was a somber one indeed. For all intent and purposes, the Jackets did what they drove down to Lexington to do, but sadly two out of three was simply not enough. At the time.
What transpired over the next 24 hours still leaves me in disbelief.
After the third game against Transy had concluded, and Franklin had secured their spot in the tournament - DC did still have one bit of hope left to cling on to. If ninth place Earlham College could manage a three-game sweep over third place Rose-Hulman, the Jackets would leap frog Rose and take over the fourth and final spot in the conference tournament. Going into their series Earlham's conference record stood at 5-16, while Rose found themselves at 12-9.
Game one of the Earlham Quaker and Rose-Hulman Engineer series went to EC by a score of 10-3. Most of everyone on the bus, myself included, were watching live stats on their phones - constantly clicking the 'refresh' button. Steadily the mood increased and by the time we got off the bus, Jackets' Head Coach Derek Woodley told the team "I've got a really good feeling about tomorrow." Of course referring to the doubleheader between Earlham and Rose-Hulman, scheduled to start at 12pm.
With Game two of the series beginning at the same time as Defiance's commencement ceremony, the buzz around campus was more focused on the action going on in Richmond, IN rather than the action on the stage right in front of them. With my eyes glued to my phone, and possibly a maroon undershirt on, I watched Earlham claw their way to an 8-7 victory over Rose. One more game to go.
Through 4 and half innings of play in the third and final game, Earlham and Rose were knotted at 3 - a two run fifth inning would give the Quakers the lead. At this point I had upgraded from live stats to a live video feed. With all different types of people with a connection to the Yellow Jacket program watching, including a large group of players and their families all huddled around one computer screen - Earlham would go on to score four more runs and beat the Engineers by a final of 9-4. Rose-Hulman was swept out of the conference tournament picture. And the Yellow Jackets of Defiance would be stepping in.
As I reflect back on the events of this past weekend, I still feel like I'll be waking up any minute, but please, no one pinch me just yet. I'm not ready. The Jackets play this Thursday (5/9) at 12pm against No. 1 seed Manchester, the regular season champ and tournament host as well. Seeding for the tournament: 1) Manchester, 2) Anderson, 3) Franklin and 4) Defiance.
For up to the minute coverage, including pre-game lineups and post-game score summaries, from North Manchester, IN later this week - follow the Diamond on Twitter. For live stats and in-game coverage visit the conference website. Conference tournament format is double elimination with games Thursday and Friday, and the championship game to be played Saturday (5/11) at 12pm.
It is with great pride and excitement that I'm able to say WE ARE POSTSEASON BOUND!
For the first time since 2004, the Yellow Jackets have qualified for their conference tournament - which adds to a season that has already seen the most wins and first 20 win season since 1995. Some may even say the roller coaster ride started in February, when DC was picked to finish last in the preseason conference poll.
The scenario was as such: the Jackets were under the impression that two wins against Transylvania in the last 3-game series of the season would secure them a spot in the HCAC conference tournament (as the #4 seed) - in conjunction with those two wins, DC also needed second place Anderson to win one out of three against sixth place Franklin, to hold off the Grizzlies and keep them out of the mix.
In Friday's GM 1 action v. Transy, the Jackets went on to win by a score of 2-1 lead predominantly by pitching performances from three members of the Yellow Jacket staff. SP Darin Waterman secured his fourth win of the season by tossing 7 innings and surrendering the only Pioneer run of the game. Waterman exited and left the ball in the hands of Aaron Patterson who threw a scoreless eighth inning on just seven pitches. SR Alex Schomaeker (#AlShoe) then came on in the bottom half of the ninth to close the door and earn his ninth save of the year - bettering Patterson' seven pitch inning with just one pitch per batter, retiring the side.
Following the game, we found out that Franklin had claimed game one over Anderson in an offensive explosion. Still thinking that the Ravens from Anderson would take at least one game of the doubleheader against Franklin the following day - we felt as if a DH split with Transy still got us in the Heartland dance.
In Game 2 of the Defiance/Transy series the Jackets did their part. Defeating the Pioneers 6-3, led by SR Jake Taylor's team leading sixth win of the year while FR Ryan Kohlhofer turned in a 2-4 performance with 2 RBI and SR 3B Andy Habecker added three hits of his own. Patterson and Schomaeker would again toss scoreless eighth and ninth innings, respectively - earning Schomaeker his conference leading tenth save on the year. Following the game, news traveled that Franklin again had beaten Anderson to go up 2-0 in the series.
From there on the situation was simple - if DC swept the series against Transy, the Jackets were in, regardless of the outcome of Franklin's last game v. Anderson. However, if the Grizzlies got the job done against Anderson and DC fell to the Pioneers, Defiance would be on the outside looking in come tourney time.
Unfortunately the latter is exactly what happened. Defiance lost game three to Transylvania 3-0, unable to muster any offense including only 3 hits against a very good Pioneer pitching performance - Franklin then went on to complete the sweep of second place Anderson and clinch their spot in the conference tournament. Needless to say, the four-hour bus ride back to Northwest Ohio was a somber one indeed. For all intent and purposes, the Jackets did what they drove down to Lexington to do, but sadly two out of three was simply not enough. At the time.
What transpired over the next 24 hours still leaves me in disbelief.
After the third game against Transy had concluded, and Franklin had secured their spot in the tournament - DC did still have one bit of hope left to cling on to. If ninth place Earlham College could manage a three-game sweep over third place Rose-Hulman, the Jackets would leap frog Rose and take over the fourth and final spot in the conference tournament. Going into their series Earlham's conference record stood at 5-16, while Rose found themselves at 12-9.
Game one of the Earlham Quaker and Rose-Hulman Engineer series went to EC by a score of 10-3. Most of everyone on the bus, myself included, were watching live stats on their phones - constantly clicking the 'refresh' button. Steadily the mood increased and by the time we got off the bus, Jackets' Head Coach Derek Woodley told the team "I've got a really good feeling about tomorrow." Of course referring to the doubleheader between Earlham and Rose-Hulman, scheduled to start at 12pm.
With Game two of the series beginning at the same time as Defiance's commencement ceremony, the buzz around campus was more focused on the action going on in Richmond, IN rather than the action on the stage right in front of them. With my eyes glued to my phone, and possibly a maroon undershirt on, I watched Earlham claw their way to an 8-7 victory over Rose. One more game to go.
Through 4 and half innings of play in the third and final game, Earlham and Rose were knotted at 3 - a two run fifth inning would give the Quakers the lead. At this point I had upgraded from live stats to a live video feed. With all different types of people with a connection to the Yellow Jacket program watching, including a large group of players and their families all huddled around one computer screen - Earlham would go on to score four more runs and beat the Engineers by a final of 9-4. Rose-Hulman was swept out of the conference tournament picture. And the Yellow Jackets of Defiance would be stepping in.
Baseball:Earlham 8, 9, Rose-Hulman 7, 4 (Final) Quakers sweep of Engineers delivers Defiance a #HCAC tournament berth #d3bEUPHORIA! It's the only word that comes to mind.
— HCAC (@HCACDIII) May 5, 2013
As I reflect back on the events of this past weekend, I still feel like I'll be waking up any minute, but please, no one pinch me just yet. I'm not ready. The Jackets play this Thursday (5/9) at 12pm against No. 1 seed Manchester, the regular season champ and tournament host as well. Seeding for the tournament: 1) Manchester, 2) Anderson, 3) Franklin and 4) Defiance.
For up to the minute coverage, including pre-game lineups and post-game score summaries, from North Manchester, IN later this week - follow the Diamond on Twitter. For live stats and in-game coverage visit the conference website. Conference tournament format is double elimination with games Thursday and Friday, and the championship game to be played Saturday (5/11) at 12pm.
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter:
May 1, 2013
Playoff Buzz
With only one conference series left to play in the 2013 campaign for the Defiance Yellow Jackets, the Swarm is currently a half game back of Transylvania for the fourth and final spot in the HCAC conference tournament. Coincidentally, DC and Transy face off this weekend down in Lexington, KY in a deciding three-game set.
Current HCAC Standings (as of 05/01/13)
This weekend (5/3 & 5/4) the Jackets will look to add a conference tournament birth to their résumé and cap off a season that has already featured the most wins since 1999, when that squad won 19 games. DC is also aiming to make their first conference tournament appearance since 2004.
For all intense and purposes, the Jackets control their own destiny and require no help besides their own to earn to solidify fourth place in the regular season. With tiebreakers in their pocket against Franklin and Bluffton - a series win over Transylvania could all but seal the Yellow Jackets' first conference tournament appearance in over a decade.
For daily updates and continual information on the Defiance tournament run, as well as pre-game lineups and post-game score summaries - follow the Diamond on Twitter:
@OnOffTheDiamond
Current HCAC Standings (as of 05/01/13)
- *Manchester: 29-5-1, 19-3
- Anderson (IN): 21-16, 15-7 (4 GB)
- Rose-Hulman: 15-20, 12-9 (6.5 GB)
- Transylvania: 19-16, 12-10 (7 GB)
- Defiance: 18-13, 11-10 (7.5 GB)
- Franklin: 19-18, 11-11
- Bluffton: 19-17, 10-11
- Hanover: 15-20, 8-14
- Earlham: 9-27, 5-16
- Mount St. Joe: 8-25, 4-16
This weekend (5/3 & 5/4) the Jackets will look to add a conference tournament birth to their résumé and cap off a season that has already featured the most wins since 1999, when that squad won 19 games. DC is also aiming to make their first conference tournament appearance since 2004.
For all intense and purposes, the Jackets control their own destiny and require no help besides their own to earn to solidify fourth place in the regular season. With tiebreakers in their pocket against Franklin and Bluffton - a series win over Transylvania could all but seal the Yellow Jackets' first conference tournament appearance in over a decade.
For daily updates and continual information on the Defiance tournament run, as well as pre-game lineups and post-game score summaries - follow the Diamond on Twitter:
@OnOffTheDiamond
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
April 23, 2013
What's Your Standing?
Last the Diamond left you, the DC Baseball Yellow Jackets were Half Way Home. Now with only eight (8) scheduled games remaining in their season, and an overall record of 17-10 (10-7 HCAC), DC is the current sole possessor of third place in the league standings. With one game left against No. 9 Manchester (4/23), and 3-game sets vs. Rose-Hulman (4/26 & 4/27) & Transylvania (5/3 & 5/4) - the Jackets have already set a wins mark that stands as the highest since the program won nineteen (19) games in 1999.
Current HCAC Standings (as of 4/23)
In other news, the Diamond would like to issue a congratulations to SR LHP Alex Schomaeker (#AlShoe) - on April 6th against Mount St. Joe, Alex recorded his 6th save of 2013 season. Making the southpaw the all-time leader in saves in program history. Mind you that the first ever Defiance College baseball team took the field in the spring of 1905. Congrats, Altitude!
Visit http://www.defianceathletics.com/baseball/news/ for write-ups, recaps and box scores of all the twenty-seven (27) games already in the books. Follow the Diamond's twitter feed for continual updates as well as pre-game lineups, post-game score updates & a list of top performers from every series.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond
Current HCAC Standings (as of 4/23)
- Manchester: 25-5-1, 15-3
- Anderson (IN): 18-15, 12-6 (3 GB)
- Defiance: 17-10, 10-7 (4.5 GB)
- Rose-Hulman: 12-17, 9-7 (5.5 GB)
- Bluffton: 18-14, 9-8
- Transylvania: 16-14, 9-8
- Franklin: 16-16, 8-9
- Hanover: 14-16, 7-10
- Mount St. Joe: 7-21, 3-13
- Earlham: 7-25, 3-14
In other news, the Diamond would like to issue a congratulations to SR LHP Alex Schomaeker (#AlShoe) - on April 6th against Mount St. Joe, Alex recorded his 6th save of 2013 season. Making the southpaw the all-time leader in saves in program history. Mind you that the first ever Defiance College baseball team took the field in the spring of 1905. Congrats, Altitude!
Visit http://www.defianceathletics.com/baseball/news/ for write-ups, recaps and box scores of all the twenty-seven (27) games already in the books. Follow the Diamond's twitter feed for continual updates as well as pre-game lineups, post-game score updates & a list of top performers from every series.
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond
April 5, 2013
Half Way Home
It's been a little over two weeks since the Diamond's last post, a hiatus that has certainly been lacking in down time. Since we last met, the Defiance Yellow Jackets have started the northern part of its schedule and rolled right in to conference play. With an overall record of 10-7 (3-4 HCAC) and an impending three-game set against southern Ohio conference foe, Mount St. Joe (4/5 & 4/6) - this weekend will officially mark the halfway point in the Swarm's season. However, there is no shortage of HCAC games left to be played - eighteen (18) to be exact.
DC is already five (5) wins away from matching the 2012 campaign and six (6) away from tying the highest win total under current Head Coach, Derek Woodley. When asked about the Jackets season thus far, SO IF Joel Musser said "We just gotta keep putting the biscuit in the basket."
Couldn't have said it better myself, folks.
Be sure to take a look at the results from all seventeen (17) games that are already in the books on the school's athletic website.
What's the Buzz?
DC is already five (5) wins away from matching the 2012 campaign and six (6) away from tying the highest win total under current Head Coach, Derek Woodley. When asked about the Jackets season thus far, SO IF Joel Musser said "We just gotta keep putting the biscuit in the basket."
Couldn't have said it better myself, folks.
Be sure to take a look at the results from all seventeen (17) games that are already in the books on the school's athletic website.
What's the Buzz?
- March 22 & 23: Jackets take 2 out of 3 from Hanover to open up HCAC play.
- March 29: Late inning rally falls short against Anderson.
- April 2: DC takes down nearby rival Bluffton by a score of 14-8.
- April 3: Close ballgame against non-conference opponent Trine, the Swarm holds on courtesy of #AlShoe's 4th save of the year.
- April 5: Defiance currently sits in a three-way tie for 5th place in the conference.
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond
March 19, 2013
That's a Roundtripper
They're back! Just a few days removed from returning from Ft. Myers, FL and the Gene Cusic Classic - the Diamond is here to recap some recent happenings. The Land of the Tan and the Home of the Gators was good to the Jackets in their time there - going 4-3 on the trip (6-3 overall). The Swarm posted wins against Wisconsin Lutheran, Mitchell College (CT) and also swept a doubleheader v. Salem State (MA) to round out their trip.
Now the tough part of the season hits - the inevitable part of college baseball in the north, known as the Meltdown. The wait has begun, the Rutt is on the verge of coming out of hibernation - but until then, we unfortunately have to settle back into our inside voices.
This is where true mental toughness is shown, it's not easy to go from sand and sun to sleet and snow - but this is where the Jackets mantra for this season comes into play, control what you can control. Batten down the [mental] hatches. It's time to get tough.
What's the Buzz?
Now the tough part of the season hits - the inevitable part of college baseball in the north, known as the Meltdown. The wait has begun, the Rutt is on the verge of coming out of hibernation - but until then, we unfortunately have to settle back into our inside voices.
This is where true mental toughness is shown, it's not easy to go from sand and sun to sleet and snow - but this is where the Jackets mantra for this season comes into play, control what you can control. Batten down the [mental] hatches. It's time to get tough.
What's the Buzz?
- See a recap of DC's Spring Trip action on heartlandconf.org
- Defiance swept HCAC [Week 3] Player of the Week honors as JR RHP/DH Darin Waterman (@dwatnoshot) was recognized for his efforts on the bump while JR IF Brad Kremer (@ItsKrameTime) received the honor for this work at the plate.
- For his Spring Trip performance, Kremer was also named to the d3baseball.com Team of the Week.
- Today's (3/19) originally scheduled Home Opener v. Ohio Northern was postponed yesterday, a make-up date has yet to be announced.
- Yellow Jackets will open HCAC play this weekend (3/22 & 3/23) at home against Hanover - Game 1 first pitch is set for 4:15pm on Friday (3/22).
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond
January 22, 2013
Watch Out
Today the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (@HCACDIII) released its Preseason Poll results as well as its 2013 Players to Watch list. The Diamond is proud to announce and would like to congratulate three Defiance Yellow Jacket juniors on their selection. RHP/IF Darin Waterman (Celina, OH/Celina), IF Brad Kremer (Saint Henry, OH/Saint Henry) and OF Aaron Helland (Defiance, OH/Defiance) all were dubbed with the honor.
The 2013 season will bring Waterman a search for his third-straight All-HCAC honor - after receiving Second-Team all-conference honors as both a pitcher and first baseman following last season and earning Honorable Mention All-HCAC status as a rookie in 2011. In 2012, Darin totaled a 3.51 earned-run average, 51.1 innings pitched and 46 strikeouts on the mound - combined with a .345 batting average, .514 SLG%, 3 home runs and 14 doubles in the batters box.
As for Kremer, who's older brother Brent wrapped up his DC Baseball playing career in 2012, he looks to improve on his accolades from last season. 2012 saw Brad produce a .320 batting average, .480 SLG%, six doubles, 2 home runs and a .443 on base percentage. In his sophomore season, Kremer was named to the D3baseball.com National Team-of-the-Week and received conference Hitter of the Week honors - due largely in part to hitting for the cycle on April 1st v. Transylvania. DC's third baseman was also Honorable Mention All-HCAC last season - and rounded out the year by sneaking his way into the top five in triples in Defiance Baseball history.
Helland, a Defiance native, led the Jackets in steals and stolen base percentage in 2012, but only played in 23 games (20 GS) due to injury. However, the Speedster closed out the year by hitting .455 with 11 runs batted in, five runs scored and eight stolen bases in the final six games of the season. Helland ranks in the top ten in steals all time at DC. And he also racked up an HCAC Hitter of the Week award after recording six hits, seven RBI and four steals in DC's season ending three-game sweep of Mount St. Joseph.
See the full-write up on both the Preseason Poll and Players to Watch List on the HCAC and Defiance Athletics website(s).
The 2013 season will bring Waterman a search for his third-straight All-HCAC honor - after receiving Second-Team all-conference honors as both a pitcher and first baseman following last season and earning Honorable Mention All-HCAC status as a rookie in 2011. In 2012, Darin totaled a 3.51 earned-run average, 51.1 innings pitched and 46 strikeouts on the mound - combined with a .345 batting average, .514 SLG%, 3 home runs and 14 doubles in the batters box.
As for Kremer, who's older brother Brent wrapped up his DC Baseball playing career in 2012, he looks to improve on his accolades from last season. 2012 saw Brad produce a .320 batting average, .480 SLG%, six doubles, 2 home runs and a .443 on base percentage. In his sophomore season, Kremer was named to the D3baseball.com National Team-of-the-Week and received conference Hitter of the Week honors - due largely in part to hitting for the cycle on April 1st v. Transylvania. DC's third baseman was also Honorable Mention All-HCAC last season - and rounded out the year by sneaking his way into the top five in triples in Defiance Baseball history.
Helland, a Defiance native, led the Jackets in steals and stolen base percentage in 2012, but only played in 23 games (20 GS) due to injury. However, the Speedster closed out the year by hitting .455 with 11 runs batted in, five runs scored and eight stolen bases in the final six games of the season. Helland ranks in the top ten in steals all time at DC. And he also racked up an HCAC Hitter of the Week award after recording six hits, seven RBI and four steals in DC's season ending three-game sweep of Mount St. Joseph.
See the full-write up on both the Preseason Poll and Players to Watch List on the HCAC and Defiance Athletics website(s).
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @OnOffTheDiamond
October 24, 2012
Let Me Check My Schedule
DC Baseball's 2013 schedule was recently released and posted to the Defiance Athletics's website (@DC_Athletics). After a 2012 campaign that saw eight (8) conference wins and seven (7) of fifteen (15) conference losses determined by either one or two runs, the Swarm is visibly excited for March 1st, 2013 to finally roll around.
The Yellow Jackets' forty (40) game schedule is highlighted by seven HCAC weekend series with Hanover College*(3/22 & 3/23), Anderson University (3/29 & 3/30), College of Mount St. Joseph* (4/5& 4/6), Franklin College (4/12 & 4/13), Earlham College* (4/19 & 4/20), Rose-Hulman (4/26 & 4/27), and Transylvannia (5/3 & 5/4).
These weekend sets are offset by weekday conference contests with Bluffton University (4/2 & 4/16) and Manchester University (4/9 & 4/23).
In addition, DC will take on Calvin College, Taylor University, Ohio Northern and Trine University in non-conference bouts. For the third year in a row, the Jackets will also travel south during spring break (3/9-3/15) and compete in the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, FL.
The 2013 regular season will be capped off by the HCAC Conference Tournament, to be held May 9-12. The Conference Tournament is hosted by the team who posts the best conference record throughout the season (2012 host: Rose-Hulman).
Note: * denotes series played at The Rutt
The Yellow Jackets' forty (40) game schedule is highlighted by seven HCAC weekend series with Hanover College*(3/22 & 3/23), Anderson University (3/29 & 3/30), College of Mount St. Joseph* (4/5& 4/6), Franklin College (4/12 & 4/13), Earlham College* (4/19 & 4/20), Rose-Hulman (4/26 & 4/27), and Transylvannia (5/3 & 5/4).
These weekend sets are offset by weekday conference contests with Bluffton University (4/2 & 4/16) and Manchester University (4/9 & 4/23).
In addition, DC will take on Calvin College, Taylor University, Ohio Northern and Trine University in non-conference bouts. For the third year in a row, the Jackets will also travel south during spring break (3/9-3/15) and compete in the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, FL.
The 2013 regular season will be capped off by the HCAC Conference Tournament, to be held May 9-12. The Conference Tournament is hosted by the team who posts the best conference record throughout the season (2012 host: Rose-Hulman).
Note: * denotes series played at The Rutt
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: @_CastroBaseball
October 5, 2012
Senior Spotlight: Jonathon Murphy
For the past three seasons, there has been a consistent sounding of an alarm on campus, down at The Rutt - especially come game time in the spring. And no, it's not a fire alarm, or a police siren, or that dreaded alarm that tells you its time to rise and shine cause you're late to Mental Toughness. That blatant ringing sound is DC Baseball's Murph Alert!
Senior OF/UT Jonathon Murphy (@MurphAlert2) has been spotted causing havoc on the base paths and running down fly balls, most thought impossible, for three years here at Defiance. Jon's impact on a game can sometimes fly under the radar, so naturally it is needed to sound the Murph Alert every time the speedster turns something out of what is seemingly, nothing!
Yes, maybe the actual ringing of an alarm is a bit of an exaggeration, but don't count it out for this spring - I hear air horn's are pretty cheap! Murphy, a Versailles, OH native, started in 38 games as a junior last season, mostly in center field. In those games Jon ranked second on the roster (3rd in HCAC) in sacrifice bunts (10) and coupled 81 putouts (which led all DC OFs) with a couple of assists as well. He also racked up five multi-hit games, in which DC was a perfect 5-0. But Murph's most impressive stat from the 2012 campaign was his .538 on-base percentage to lead off an inning!
The Yellow Jackets' Outfield General recently granted OAOTD a few minutes of his time:
OAOTD: What is your best memory of DC in the past three years, On the Diamond?
JM: Sweeping Mount St. Joe last year to wrap up the season (this led to the Niners tying the 7th most wins in school history) oh and finally talking Coach [Woodley] into getting flat-bill hats for the 2012 season.
OAOTD: What is your best memory of DC in the past three years, Off the Diamond?
JM: Any time spent with my teammates off the field really, it has always created memories I'll never forget.
OAOTD: Going into your final season, what is the biggest improvement you've made since freshman year?
JM: My strength and my ability on play anywhere on the field that I'm needed (in the past three years Murph has also seen time at 3B and behind the dish).
OAOTD: What are your expectations for the 2013 season?
JM: Same as everyone's, make the conference tournament!
OAOTD: After your time at DC is up, what will you do?
JM: Continue onto grad school and earn a civil engineering degree (Jon is a Mathematics major and will graduate on time, this spring)
OAOTD: What is one life lesson that being a Defiance College Baseball Player has taught you?
JM: Nothing is impossible with the right attitude and enough hard work.
Senior OF/UT Jonathon Murphy (@MurphAlert2) has been spotted causing havoc on the base paths and running down fly balls, most thought impossible, for three years here at Defiance. Jon's impact on a game can sometimes fly under the radar, so naturally it is needed to sound the Murph Alert every time the speedster turns something out of what is seemingly, nothing!
Yes, maybe the actual ringing of an alarm is a bit of an exaggeration, but don't count it out for this spring - I hear air horn's are pretty cheap! Murphy, a Versailles, OH native, started in 38 games as a junior last season, mostly in center field. In those games Jon ranked second on the roster (3rd in HCAC) in sacrifice bunts (10) and coupled 81 putouts (which led all DC OFs) with a couple of assists as well. He also racked up five multi-hit games, in which DC was a perfect 5-0. But Murph's most impressive stat from the 2012 campaign was his .538 on-base percentage to lead off an inning!
The Yellow Jackets' Outfield General recently granted OAOTD a few minutes of his time:
OAOTD: What is your best memory of DC in the past three years, On the Diamond?
JM: Sweeping Mount St. Joe last year to wrap up the season (this led to the Niners tying the 7th most wins in school history) oh and finally talking Coach [Woodley] into getting flat-bill hats for the 2012 season.
OAOTD: What is your best memory of DC in the past three years, Off the Diamond?
JM: Any time spent with my teammates off the field really, it has always created memories I'll never forget.
OAOTD: Going into your final season, what is the biggest improvement you've made since freshman year?
JM: My strength and my ability on play anywhere on the field that I'm needed (in the past three years Murph has also seen time at 3B and behind the dish).
OAOTD: What are your expectations for the 2013 season?
JM: Same as everyone's, make the conference tournament!
OAOTD: After your time at DC is up, what will you do?
JM: Continue onto grad school and earn a civil engineering degree (Jon is a Mathematics major and will graduate on time, this spring)
OAOTD: What is one life lesson that being a Defiance College Baseball Player has taught you?
JM: Nothing is impossible with the right attitude and enough hard work.
Stay up to date with all things Defiance Baseball here.
Follow DC Baseball On and Off the Diamond on Twitter: _CastroBaseball
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