Softball Swept by Calvin (Mich.)

DEFIANCE, OHIO – Idle bats proved to be the game-changer as the Defiance College softball team dropped both games of the doubleheader series against Calvin (Mich.) College in non-conference play at Sal Hench Field.

Calvin (6-6) put three on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead over Defiance (9-9). The Yellow Jackets chipped away at the lead in the bottom of the first when senior Makayla McAvoy (Mt. Gilead) reached first by an error from the defense, which in turn allowed freshman Jordan Osborne (Deleware/Rutherford B. Hayes) to cross home plate to bring the score 3-1.

Two scoreless innings for Defiance and nine consecutive runs added by the Knights gave Calvin a 12-1 lead before the Yellow Jackets were able to score two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Paige Huttenlocker (Jackson, Mich. /Grass Lake) and senior Megan Pleskovic (Strongsville) crossed the plate, after an error from the centerfielder gave them the scoring opportunity.

The Knights extended their lead once more, in the top of the fifth with one run to make the score 13-3. With the mercy rule in play, Defiance needed to score, but the Knights defense held the Yellow Jackets to three-up, three-down to finalize the 13-3 score in favor of Calvin.

DC had two hits coming from sophomore Keri Hupp (Louisville) (one-of-two) and Pleskovic (one-of-one). At pitcher, sophomores Sarah Kaya (Lorain/Clearview) and Sydni Smith (Jackson, MIch. /Lumen Chrisi) shared time in the circle. Kaya pitched one inning, and gave up seven runs on six hits and was credited with the loss to move to 5-6 for the season. Smith pitched the remainder of the game and gave up six runs on eight hits.

In game two, Defiance was held scoreless and Calvin walked away with a win by a final score of 8-0. The Knights scored once again in the first inning, to take the early lead 1-0. The only hit of the afternoon came off the bat of Osborne in the bottom of the first when she singled to the shortstop. Despite efforts from the Yellow Jackets, she was left stranded at the end of the inning.

Scoreless second inning from both teams was interrupted by a one-run inning from Calvin to extend the lead 2-0. The Knights added five runs in the fourth and one more in the fifth to take the lead 8-0.

The Yellow Jackets were looking to rally in the bottom of the fifth, but came up empty handed, to finalize the 8-0 victory in favor of the visiting team.

The Purple and Gold's single hit came from Osborne who went one-for-three at the plate. In the circle, freshman Jamie Kimbler (Huber Heights/ Wayne) got the start and loss as she pitched four innings, while giving up seven runs off of 10 hits. Kaya pitched the final inning and allowed one run off of two hits.

The Yellow Jackets will look to return to their winning ways when they host Transylvania (Ky.) University tomorrow (Mar. 26) at Sal Hench Field to open up Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play. The first pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.