Box Score
Ohio Wesleyan 14, Defiance 12

Senior shortstop D.J. Neff (Grove City) smashed a 2-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to break a 12-12 tie and lift Ohio Wesleyan to a non-conference win over Defiance on Wednesday in Defiance.

Sophomore centerfielder Sammy Stoner (Dublin/Jerome) singled up the middle with one out in the top of the ninth, and Neff followed with a drive to left that gave the Bishops a 14-12 lead.  Ohio Wesleyan went on to load the bases with 2 out, but Defiance hurler Sam Thombs got out of the inning without any further damage.

Freshman righthander Mikey Oliveieri (Jackson Township/Jackson) retired the Yellow Jackets in order in the bottom of the ninth to chalk up his first save of the season.

Stoner smashed an RBI triple and scored on a double by Neff as the Bishops took a 2-0 lead in the first, and Neff delivered a 2-run single during a 4-run second that gave Ohio Wesleyan a 6-0 lead.

The Yellow Jackets collected 5 runs in the third with the help of a 2-run double by Trent Murdock and a 2-run single from Gunner Gregg, and Murdock came through with another 2-run double during a 4-run sixth frame that gave the hosts a 10-8 lead.

Ohio Wesleyan answered with 4 runs in the top of the seventh, with a 2-run single by junior first baseman Dillon Ysseldyke (Hilliard/Bradley) the key hit, only to see Defiance come back to even the score at 12 in the bottom of the eighth with the help of Murdock's run-scoring single.

Freshman catcher Zane Vitense (Maple Grove, Minn.) went 4-for-5 with 2 RBI, Stoner was 3-for-5 with 4 runs scored, and Neff finished the day at 3-for-6 with 5 RBI.  Junior righthander Jason Monos (Amherst/Steele), the fifth of 6 Ohio Wesleyan pitchers, finished up the eighth inning and was credited with the win.

Box Score