DC Splits with Denison

DEFIANCE, OHIO – The Defiance College softball team split with Denison University in non-conference play after losing game one, 4-0 and winning game two 9-1 in five innings at Sal Hench Field.

In game one, Denison (7-7) struck first after errors from Defiance (9-7) allowed the Big Red to score four runs in the top of the first inning.

The Yellow Jacket bats stayed idle until the fifth inning when freshman Jackie Hartman (Parma/Padua Franciscan) found a hole up the middle and was able to get on base. Senior Makayla McAvoy (Mt. Gilead) singled right behind Hartman to give the Yellow Jackets their first runner in scoring position. Despite efforts from DC, the runners were left on base and weren't able to capitalize on the scoring opportunity.

Both teams remained scoreless the final two innings and Denison secured their 4-0 victory of game one.

The Purple and Gold had two hits coming from McAvoy and Hartman with one hit a piece. Pitching for Defiance was sophomore Sarah Kaya (Lorain/Clearview) who pitched a complete game, but was credited with the loss after giving up four runs on four hits.

In the nightcap, Defiance was looking for pay dirt and run-ruled the Big Red 9-1 in five innings. The Yellow Jackets took the lead in the first inning after a wild pitch allowed junior Emily Denhard (Troy, Mich. /Kolbe Academy) to cross the plate.

Denison put one run on the board in the top off the second off of a solo home run to even the score 1-1. Defiance answered back with two runs of their own after freshman Jordan Osborne (Deleware/Rutherford B. Hayes) was credited with a fielder's choice RBI that allowed Hartman to score. Sophomore Haley Patty (Bradford) then scored off of a wild pitch to bring the Yellow Jackets ahead 3-1.

The Yellow Jacket defense held the Big Red scoreless the rest of the game, while tacking on runs in consecutive innings. In the fourth, sophomore Keri Hupp (Louisville) reached first base by an error from the right fielder, which allowed junior Megan Warren (Mason) to score.

In the fourth, Defiance boosted their lead to 7-1 after a RBI-single from Warren allowed senior Megan Pleskovic (Strongsville) to cross home plate. With two outs, Hartman produced a two RBI-single that drove in Warren and Denhard.

With the mercy rule lingering in the distance, in the fifth, with two outs, Warren hit a two RBI-double to left center to plate the winning runs and finalize the Yellow Jacket victory, 9-1.

DC had 11 hits with three Yellow Jackets having a multi-hit game. Warren went three-of-four with three RBI and two runs scored. Hartman went a perfect two-of-two to include two RBI and one run scored. Pleskovic rounded out the multi-hitters going two-of-three at the plate with two runs scored.

In the circle, freshman Jamie Kimbler (Huber Heights/Wayne) pitched the complete game and earned her fourth victory of the season. She gave up just one run on two hits in 5.0 innings pitched.

The Yellow Jackets will return to action on Friday, Mar. 25 when the host Calvin (Mich.) College in non-conference play at Sal Hench Field. The first pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m.