Holava Becomes DC’s All-Time Wins Leader with Last Day Sweep
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – It was a fantastic final day in the sunshine state, as head coach Jodie Holava moved into the top spot on DC’s All-Time Wins list, when the Yellow Jacket softball team topped the Lakeland Muskies 2-1 and the Sage Gators 8-6.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – It was a fantastic final day in the sunshine state, as head coach Jodie Holava moved into the top spot on DC's All-Time Wins list, when the Yellow Jacket softball team topped the Lakeland Muskies 2-1 and the Sage Gators 8-6. Holava now leads the list with 160 career victories.
Coming into the season, Holava needed six wins to surpass Marty Litherland on the all-time list and on the last day of the Rebel Games, the team came through to put her on top. Holava's career totals now stand at 160-141 with a winning percentage of .532, which is also the best in school history. DC softball improves to 6-4 on the season with the win, as they return to Defiance.
In game one of the afternoon, the Purple and Gold came from behind to win 2-1 with a run in each of the sixth and seventh frames. The tying run came in the sixth off left fielder Katie Miller's bat when she drove in junior Macy Ferrall. Freshmen Katie Patchin and Brittany Shough then doubled in back-to-back at bats in the bottom half of the seventh to steal a win for DC.
On the mound, freshman pitcher Alli Rowland tossed a complete game in a second-straight appearance. In yesterday's matchup with Wheaton (Mass.), the Westerville North product went all six frames with no earned runs on just three hits surrendered. Then in this afternoon's contest, Rowland was dominant again by throwing seven innings of one run ball (unearned) allowing six hits and striking out one.
Then in the matchup with the Gators, the Yellow Jacket offense was able to generate seven runs in the first three innings, and give the pitching staff a cushion that they used to hold on for the close victory.
Leading the DC bats with two hits a piece were juniors Macy Ferrall and Maggie Neanen, along with Patchin. Ferrall also added two scores in the game. Knocking in a crucial three runs in a 1-for-3 effort was junior Kailea Holbrook.
Earning the win in the contest was Patchin. The Bristol Local High product now heads the team with a 3-1 record early in the season. She surrendered four hits and four runs (two earned) with two punch outs in five innings of work. Coming on in relief was fellow Rowland, who gave up two unearned runs in two innings on four hits.
The Yellow Jacket softball team will now have the long trip back to Northwest Ohio. The team will rest up for the weekend and return to action with the home-opening doubleheader at Sal-Hench Field against the Trine Thunder on Monday, March 18. Action in the first game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.