Faling’s Grand Slam Spurs Jackets to Sweep of Baldwin-Wallace

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Baldwin-Wallace had allowed a total of seven runs in eight games, and brought an unblemished, 8-0, record into its doubleheader with Defiance on Friday. DC matched that point total in its first game, and tacked on five more in the second contest on its way to a sweep of the two-game series.

Three of DC's first four batters reached base safely, loading the bases for the second-leading homerun hitter in Defiance College softball history. Mallory Faling watched one ball go by, and then turned on a fastball, sending it over the center field fence for a grand slam that brought the senior slugger within three home runs of DC's all-time home runs leader, teammate Marah Robinson. Elizabeth Huffman made it a 5-0 advantage with a double to left center field, bringing Stephanie Esquibel home after she singled down the right field line.

Robinson made sure to restore some space between herself and Faling on the all-time home runs list in the next inning with a two-out shot over the center field fence that gave Defiance a 6-0 lead, and gives Robinson 17 long balls in her career at DC.

The two squads would swap zeros over the next four frames as Shauna Bowers continued to deal for the Yellow Jackets. Bowers picked up her second-consecutive complete game victory for Defiance, giving the junior pitcher a 3-1 record and a 1.22 ERA this season.

Both teams tacked on a run in the seventh inning to make it a 7-1 final.

Kelly Schnipke got the start in game two, and matched Bowers with a one-run complete-game victory of her own. Schnipkes' gem helped the Yellow Jackets to pick up their third-consecutive victory at home, with the wins coming against a pair of teams that brought a combined 16-1 record into the matchups.

Run support came in the fourth inning, when Kaycee Butt and Robinson reached base on a single and a walk respectively, and then moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Faling. Esquibel came through with a two-RBI single through the right side, giving DC a 2-0 advantage.

Robinson's run tied the senior centerfielder for the most runs scored in DC softball history.

Baldwin-Wallace scored in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Sarah Baker, but Defiance answered with another run in the bottom of the frame, when Katie Miller smacked a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing in Katelyn Samples, who led-off the inning with a single through the middle.  

Faling tied current assistant softball coach, Aarika Davis, atop DC's all-time walks list with a leadoff walk in the sixth inning. Aubrie Ridinger pinch ran for Faling, and came in to score on a two-RBI double from Huffman, who recorded her third double in as many games to complete the scoring for Defiance.

The two wins put the Yellow Jackets at 6-6 this season, and 3-1 at Sal Hench Field. Defiance will look to extend its three-game home winning streak tomorrow afternoon, when it hosts a doubleheader against Olivet College (9-5). Game one of the doubleheader is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.