Franklin, Ind. - The Franklin College baseball team collected 11 hits in the nightcap, but it was not enough in losing 18-10 in eight innings to Defiance College in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play on Sunday from John P. McDowell Field.

The Grizzlies lost Sunday's opener 4-3 and stranded the potential game-tying run on the bases.

The weekend's three-game series was moved to Franklin due to weather with Defiance being the home team in each game.

In the opener, Franklin got on the scoreboard in the eighth inning with a two-run double from sophomore Frank Podkul (Schererville, Ind./Andrean). The base hit cut the deficit to 4-2. A double play with the bases loaded later in the inning ended the threat.

One inning later, freshman Mitchell Moore (Seymour, Ind./Seymour) drove home sophomore Mitch Schuman (St. Leon, Ind./East Central) with a fielder's choice to bring Franklin within 4-3. A fly out during the next batter ended the contest.

Seniors Joe Ardizzone (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) and Drew Kammerer (Fortville, ind./Mt. Vernon) joined Schuman in collecting two hits in the first game.

Franklin built a 9-1 lead after scoring four runs each in the third and fifth innings. Defiance scored five runs in the fifth inning before pushing across seven runs one inning later to take the lead, 13-10. The Yellow Jackets scored five runs in the eighth inning to secure the victory.

The game was called after eight innings due to steady rain falling at John P. McDowell Field.

Freshman Tanner Nicholson (Greencastle, Ind./Greencastle) led the team's 11-hit attack with four hits. He opened the game with a home run. Nicholson ended the game a triple shy of the cycle.

Senior Chase Steinbrunner (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) hit a three-run double during the four-run third inning.

Franklin returns to action on Tuesday, April 12, at 4:13 p.m. when it hosts Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in HCAC play. Live statistic and video of the game will be available.