Moller leads Defiance in split at Manchester

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Defiance College softball team traveled to Manchester University for a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader on Monday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets fell short in game one by a 10-8 score before rebounding with a 12-5 victory to earn the split. 

Sophie Moller led the Yellow Jacket offense on the day, going 5 for 8 with eight RBIs, three runs, a walk, and a grand slam.  

In the opening game, Marissa Roberts led off the top of the third inning with a single through the left side to set the plate for Kalin Hubble to blast a two-run homer off the scoreboard in left field to give Defiance an early 2-0 lead. Later that inning, Josilyn Guzman hit a solo shot to center, giving the Yellow Jackets a 3-0 advantage. 

Manchester responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, making it a 3-2 ballgame. With bases loaded in the fourth inning, Guzman used her speed to run out an infield single to score McKenzie Baker, giving Defiance a 4-2 advantage. 

The Spartans took a 10-4 lead after scoring eight runs on five hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Despite a four-run sixth inning from the Yellow Jackets, Manchester hung on for the 10-8 victory. 

Hubble finished game one going 3 for 5 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs, while Roberts also went 3 for 5 with two runs. Guzman finished 2 for 3 with a home run, two RBIs, two runs, and a walk. 

Taylor Biggs (6-12) started on the mound for the Purple and Gold and pitched 3.2 innings, surrendering nine runs on eight hits and two walks. Rylee George came in for relief in the fourth inning to pitch 2.2 innings allowing one run on two hits and one walk.  

In the nightcap, the Purple and Gold jumped to an early 2-0 lead as Brooke Silcox reached on an error from the Spartan center fielder to score two Yellow Jackets. Manchester responded by taking a 5-2 advantage after two innings.

Defiance made it a one-run ball game in the third inning as Moller singled up the middle to score Hubble, and the Yellow Jackets profited off of a Manchester miscue to plate another run making the score 5-4. 

Moller roped a two-RBI single to center field in the top of the fourth inning to give the Yellow Jackets the 6-5 advantage. 

Moller comes in clutch once again with bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning as she smashes a grand slam over the center-field fence to extend the Defiance lead to 10-5. The Yellow Jackets would manufacture two runs in the top of the sixth inning to cruise to the 12-5 victory over Manchester.

In the circle, Savannah McCoy (4-6) threw a complete game surrendering five runs on ten hits and struck out five. 

The Purple and Gold move to 11-20-1 overall on the season and 3-7 in HCAC league play. Defiance is scheduled to host the Bluffton University Beavers in HCAC action at the Sal Hench Field tomorrow, Tuesday, April 27. The first pitch is slated for 3:30 pm.