Sioux Center, Iowa — The Dordt Defenders fought back from an early 3-0 deficit to take an 8-7 win in extra innings from Midland in GPAC play on Friday afternoon in Sioux Center.
Dordt answered a three-run second inning with a two run home half of the second with Lucas Nelson knocking in a run with a triple and Aaron Eshelman doubled in Nelson but the Defenders missed out on a bigger inning by leaving two runners on.
The Warriors added a run in the fourth but Dordt had a four run answer in the bottom of the inning as Nick Hamilton homered to lead off the inning and Andrew Pullar and John Emerson each had run scoring singles.
Dordt added a run in the sixth when Emerson tripled in Andrew Pullar but the visitors plated three in the seventh to tie the game. After a scoreless seventh the Defenders held Midland without a run in the eighth and Austin Pullar knocked in Parker Hamann with the winning run.
Dordt was outhit 14-12 and got two hits each from John Emerson, Nick Hamilton, Lucas Nelson, Cam Pfafman and Andrew Pullar. Austin Pullar knocked in two runs and John Emerson pushed two across as well.
Isaac Buteyn got the win in relief after pitching and inning and two-third and didn’t allow a run.
Gyeongju Kim had 11 strikeouts in six and a third innings and scattered 12 hits and wasn’t involved in the decision.
The Dordt Defenders hosted Midland in their final home game, using a 4-run 1st inning to set the tone for the rest of the game.
After Logan Horne retired the first three batters of the contest, Dordt saw their first three of the lineup reach, leading to a grand slam for Nick Hamilton. Hamilton’s home run was his 11th of the season.
Following another hitless 2nd inning pitched by Horne, Midland’s Chase Reynolds hit a single with two runners in scoring position, making the score 4-1.
John Emerson hit a single to lead off the bottom of the 4th, and was later brought home on a sacrifice fly by Brock Spade.
In the 5th inning, Chase Edwards hit a two-out double with the bases empty. Nick Hamilton was intentionally walked, and both runners scored on an error in left field, giving Dordt a 7-1 lead.
The Defenders then had a 5-run 6th inning, stretching their run total to 12. With runners on first and second, Anthony Klinzing hit a single to right for the RBI. In the next at-bat, Austin Pullar hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Aaron Eshleman to score the second run of the inning. Then, with the bases loaded, Chase Edwards hit a 2-RBI single that scored Parker Hamann. The final two runs of the inning came on a single for John Emerson that allowed Klinzing and Logan Cline.
Mount Marty scored four runs on three hits in the 7th inning, but Dordt held on to the lead to come away with a 12-5 conference win.
Nick Hamilton finished with 4 RBI on a grand slam
John Emerson had 4 RBI and 2-4 on plate appearances
Chase Edwards hit 3-4
Logan Horne pitched 7 innings and earned the win
The Defenders play in their final games of the regular season tomorrow vs. Midland. The games are scheduled to begin play at 4:00 and 6:00 pm in Fremont, Nebraska
