DC Softball Splits with Rose-Hulman (Ind.)

DEFIANCE, OHIO – The Defiance College softball team split with Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Rose-Hulman (Ind.) Institute of Technology after losing 2-1 in game one, but winning game two 7-1 at Sal Hench Field.

In game one, Rose-Hulman (12-16, 3-9 HCAC) took an early 2-0 advantage over the Yellow Jackets (15-19, 6-8 HCAC) after scoring in the first two consecutive innings. Defiance plated their first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning after senior Makayla McAvoy (Mt. Gilead) hit a sacrifice fly to score fellow senior Katie Haydett (St. Clair Shores, Mich. /Lakeview).

With the tying run on third base in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Yellow Jackets came up short and the visiting Fightin' Enginners took game one by a final score of 2-1.

DC recorded five hits coming off the bats of five different Yellow Jackets. At pitcher, sophomore Sarah Kaya (Lorain/Clearview) pitched the complete game and recorded the loss after allowing two runs off of eight hits, while sitting down three batters.

In the nightcap, RHIT struck early once again, this time plating a run in the top of the first inning. The Yellow Jackets would answer back though with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Freshman Jordan Osborne (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) crossed home first, then sophomore Kaity Kuhn (Celina) and junior Emily Denhard (Troy, Mich. /Kolbe Academy) followed close behind.

After three idle innings, the Yellow Jackets tacked on one run in the bottom of the fifth thanks to an RBI-single from Kuhn. DC added three more runs their next at-bat to boost their lead to 7-1. After holding the Engineers in the top of the seventh, the Yellow Jackets finalized the home team victory.

The Purple and Gold recorded 10 hits coming from seven different Yellow Jackets. Osborne went three-of-four at the plate, while sophomore Haley Patty (Bradford) went two-of three. In the circle, freshman Jamie Kimbler (Huber Heights/Wayne) pitched the complete game and recorded her sixth win of the season. She allowed just one run off of five hits and struck out one batter.

The Yellow Jackets will return to action on Tuesday, Apr. 26 when they host non-conference opponent St. Mary's (Ind.) College. The first pitch of the doubleheader is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.