DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College took its home field for the final time of the 2012 campaign, hosting Heidelberg University on Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference game. The Berg never trailed and held off a ninth-inning rally by the Jackets in the 8-5 contest.

Heidelberg (23-15) used a two-run home run in the top of the first to move in front and would later hold leads of 4-1, 5-2 and 8-2, before Defiance mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth.

Levi Pauli opened the frame with a leadoff single, before Brent Kremer was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Another walk put Dave Riley on to load the bases and the first run of the inning was forced home when Patrick Masopust was hit by a pitch.

Chris Donese then delivered a two-run single into center field to score Kremer and Matt Staels but DC could get no closer than three, as Heidelberg retired the next two hitters to end the threat and preserve the 8-5 victory.

Donese ended the game with three runs batted in, while Bryn Lehman had two hits and Brent Kremer scored a pair of runs.

Stephen Leskow (2-6) took the loss on the bump for the Purple and Gold, after allowing four runs on five hits in his five innings. Leskow did not issue a walk and struck out four Student Princes.

Aaron Patterson and Nate White threw well in relief, as Patterson retired four HU batters on strikes in his two scoreless frames and White notched the final two outs of the top of the ninth to end a rally by the visitors.

Defiance (12-24, 5-15 HCAC) will close the 2012 season over the weekend with a three-game series at Mount St. Joseph (11-24, 4-18 HCAC). The teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, beginning at 3:00 pm, before ending the year with a single game on Saturday at noon.