By: Sean Neidig, sports information graduate assistant

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Capital University Baseball took on the Yellow Jackets for the second day in a row on Tuesday, this time the ones from Defiance College in Capital's final nonconference game of the season. Capital put up a fight offensively but successful early innings from Defiance doomed the Crusaders in a 13-7 loss.

The Yellow Jackets scored three runs in both the first and second innings to take a 6-0 lead before the Crusaders scored their first run, one that scored on a double play in the third inning.

Defiance pulled that run right back though in the bottom of the third on a home run. Capital's second run of the game scored via a single from Shayne Lyons in the fifth inning but again Defiance answered in the bottom of the frame, this time with two runs to take a 9-2 lead. Another three-run inning for Defiance in the sixth made it a 12-2 game.

Capital's offense got to work in the seventh though with four runs. Cole Callaghan singled to start the inning and Bryce Grisez was hit by a pitch to give Capital a pair of runners. Joe Caporale then loaded the bases with a single and Brandon Barnette knocked two in with a double down the line in left. Back-to-back singles from Brendan Stinson and Ryan Henne each scored a run to complete the seventh-inning run with Capital down 12-6.

Again though, the Yellow Jackets responded quickly and pulled one of those runs back in their half of the inning. Caporale hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth to score Capital's final run of the game.

Grisez, Lyons, Caporale, Henne, Callaghan and Beau Otto all finished with two hits for Capital and the Crusaders outhit the Yellow Jackets 15-12. Capital left 11 runners on base compared to Defiance's eight.

The Crusaders threw four pitchers and as a group they walked six while striking out seven.

Capital will return to Ohio Athletic Conference action on Saturday, April 27 with a road doubleheader at the University of Mount Union with only four game left to play in the regular season. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

## CRUSADERS ##