Yellow Jackets Earn HCAC Sweep

DEFIANCE, OHIO -- The Defiance College softball team improved to 3-2 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play with a pair of victories against Manchester (Ind.) University at Sal Hench Field. DC won the early contest, 2-0, before grabbing a 6-4 victory in the nightcap.

The Yellow Jackets (13-12, 3-2 HCAC) started the scoring quickly in the opener, as Jordan Osborne (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) singled and Emily Denhard (Troy, Mich./Kolbe Academy) walked to start the contest. Senior Megan Warren (Mason) cleared the bases with a two-run double off the left field wall to put Defiance in front, 2-0.

Those would be the lone runs of the contest, as junior Sarah Kaya (Lorain/Clearview) allowed just three hits and no walks, as Defiance earned the 2-0 opening game victory. 

Warren and Osborne led the way with the bats for the Yellow Jackets in game one, each finishing the contest with a pair of hits and a stolen base.

Defiance started the second game similarly to how they started game one. Osborne and Denhard both reached base to begin the game, and freshman Brooke Gostomsky (Covington) drove them in with a one-out triple to right center field to give DC a 2-0 advantage. Gostomsky went on to score on a throwing error to make it a 3-0 game through one inning.

The Yellow Jackets loaded the bases again in the second inning and Warren drove in two with a base knock up the middle to make it a 5-0 contest. Gostomsky added another run with a single to center field and Defiance held a 6-0 lead through two innings.

The Spartans (7-17-1, 0-6 HCAC) cut into the lead with three runs in the fourth and reliever Tristyn Koon held the Yellow Jackets scoreless for the remainder of the contest. With DC leading, 6-3, entering the seventh, the Spartans mounted a final rally. Manchester scored a run and had the tying run at the plate, but freshman Sydney Zeuch (Mason/Mount Notre Dame) forced a groundout to secure a 6-4 Defiance victory.

Sophomore Jamie Kimbler (Huber Heights/Wayne) started the contest and earned the victory, improving to 4-1 on the season. Kimbler tossed four innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. Zeuch came on to pitch the final three innings, giving up an unearned run on two hits to earn her second save of the season.

Gostomsky led the way in game two for the Yellow Jackets, scattering three hits with three RBI. Osborne and Denhard both scored a pair of runs, while Haley Patty (Bradford) also garnered a pair of hits in the victory.

Defiance continues HCAC play on Saturday, Apr. 15 as they travel to Transylvania (Ky.) University for a pair of contests with the Pioneers in Lexington, Ky. Game one is set for a 1 p.m. first pitch.