Yellow Jackets Sweep Mount in Pivotal HCAC Doubleheader

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College softball team hosted Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Mount St. Joseph in a vital doubleheader for both squads. Each team entered Sunday's action with a 4-6 HCAC record and fighting to qualify in the top four to earn a bid into the conference tourney.

The Jackets managed to strike first in the opener of the two game set, as sophomore Macy Ferrall led off the inning by ripping a triple to the right field wall in the bottom of the second. Fellow sophomore Stephanie Esquibel batted Ferrall in two batters later with a single up the middle of the infield to give DC a 1-0 advantage.

The Lions abruptly answered back with a run of their own in the top of the third to knot the game up at 1-1 off an RBI single from Tanya Sefton.

Both pitchers settled into the game in the fourth and fifth innings, as neither team recorded a hit in the two-inning stretch. However, the Purple and Gold bats woke up in the bottom of the sixth as the Jackets' offense exploded for four runs on four hits to break the game open.

Sophomore starting pitcher Kailea Holbrook was able to retire the side in order in the top of the seventh to secure the victory for the Jackets. Holbrook went the distance for DC and only allowed one run on five hits over seven innings.

In game two, the Yellow Jackets, once again, wasted little time getting the scoring started. After freshman starting pitcher Lauren Dicke recorded a scoreless top half of the first, the DC offense jumped on the Lions with three runs in the bottom of the frame. The Jackets were aided by MSJ miscues, including two hit batters, one error and a wild pitch. Capitalizing on the Lions' mistakes were junior Katie Miller and sophomore Jordan Sawmiller, who each had RBI base knocks.

The Yellow Jackets were able to bolster their lead in the bottom of the second after an error by MSJ, and then a double from Miller plated the fourth run of the game for DC.

Mount St. Joseph refused to go down without a fight and clawed back into the game in the top of the third inning. The Lions were able to score three runs on four hits to draw within one run of Defiance.

Neither team scored in the fourth, and Mount St. Joseph was able to tie the game in the top of the fifth at 4-4 off a double from freshman Ashley Moore.

After a scoreless top of the sixth, Defiance used back-to-back singles from seniors Katelyn Samples and Aubrie Ridinger to set the stage for a go-ahead run. MSJ walked Miller with one out to load the bases and then threw a wild pitch that scored Samples from third. The run gave the Jackets a 5-4 lead that they would not relinquish. DC's defense held the Lions' bats scoreless in the top of the seventh to cement the 5-4 victory and the sweep.

With the win, the Jackets even their HCAC record at 6-6 and keep their postseason aspirations alive. Defiance is back in action at Manchester College on Tuesday, April 17 in another important conference doubleheader. Game one is set to begin at 3:30.