Yellow Jackets fall to Franklin in HCAC doubleheader Saturday

FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Yellow Jackets Softball team fell to Franklin College Saturday afternoon in a pair of Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference games 10-2 and 2-1.

The day started strong for Defiance with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning in game one. Makayla McAvoy came up with a two-out two-RBI single to give the Yellow Jackets a 2-0 lead.

McAvoy's hit scored Kailea Holbrook and Macy Ferrall. Holbrook reached earlier in the inning with a single a Ferrall took Maggie Neanen's place at first on a fielder's choice play after Neanen led off the inning with a single.

Despite the strong start, the Yellow Jackets two runs and three hits were all that Defiance could generate in game one. The Yellow Jackets were only able to get one more base runner in the first game by way of a Brittany Shough walk in the fifth inning.

After a scoreless first inning, Franklin answered with runs in each of the next four innings. In the second inning, Franklin capitalized on an error to score a pair of unearned runs to tie the game at two.

In the third inning, the Grizzlies had a two-out RBI single and then later had a bases clearing hit to score four unearned runs and go up 6-2 on Defiance.

Franklin would add a run in the fourth and then scored three runs in the fifth inning to trigger a 10-2 victory by run rule.

In game two, the Yellow Jackets found themselves in a pitching dual with Franklin in a low-scoring battle.

Franklin got on the scoreboard first with a two-out rally to go up 1-0 after a single and a RBI double.

After a scoreless fifth inning, Defiance answered with a run in the sixth inning. Ferrall started the inning off with a double and took third on a sacrifice bunt by Holbrook. Kali Campbell then scored Ferrall with a RBI single.

The Yellow Jackets weren't finished as DC loaded the bases, but were unable to take the lead as they stranded the bases loaded with a fielder's choice play up the middle.

Franklin responded and took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth with a RBI single to score a run from third base.

The Yellow Jackets were able to threaten in the top of the seventh, after a pair of two out walks loaded the bases. However, for the second straight inning, Defiance stranded the bases loaded on a fielder's choice play, this time ending the game at 2-1.

Defiance will look to rebound with a doubleheader on Tuesday at Kalamazoo. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.