FRANKLIN, Ind. – Franklin scored five runs in the third inning to take a 6-2 lead and held off Defiance for the 7-5 victory and a series win against the Yellow Jackets over the weekend at FC's McDowell Field. The loss was DC's ninth of the year by two runs or fewer.

The extended early rally by the home squad was enough to help Franklin (19-5, 7-3 HCAC) withstand two-run innings in the third and fourth by Defiance and one more run in the top of the fifth.

The Jackets were led offensively by two hits from Aaron Helland and Darin Waterman, as each also scored once and drove in one run. Chris Donese also collected one RBI, while Jonathan Murphy scored twice and Brent Kremer crossed home plate once.

Brett Belew sparkled in relief, entering to end the third inning rally by the Grizzlies and allowing only one run over 5.1 inning of work. Below retired four FC batters on strikes and scattered four hits during his dominant outing.

Defiance (8-16, 1-9 HCAC) will host Manchester on Monday at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm and will be webcast live at www.DefianceAthletics.com/video beginning at 6:30 pm.