Bulldogs Bite Down Hard on Yellow Jackets

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Defiance College softball team was bested in non-conference action on Monday, April 22. The Adrian Bulldogs defeated the Jackets in both contests by scores of 10-2 and 9-1. DC's record falls to 12-18 on the season, while the Bulldogs improve to 11-15.

Play started off well for the Purple and Gold in game one, as it got on top early with a run in the bottom of the first. Senior Katie Miller (Archbold, OH / HS) led things off with a single and was moved over to third when freshman Makayla McAvoy (Mt. Gilead, OH / HS) poked a one bagger of her own. After a walk loaded the bases, freshman Katie Patchin (West Farmington, OH / Bristol Local) punched a single through the left side to score Miller and take the 1-0 lead.

Adrian would regain the lead with a two-run second inning that made the score 2-1 and would hold that mark through four frames. Then in the fifth inning, Miller evened the score with one swing of the bat, as she drilled a solo home run to right center. The bomb was her team leading sixth of the season that also tied her for second all-time in DC softball history with 15 career home runs.

Unfortunately, the Jackets would completely unravel in the bottom half of the fifth. Two errors mixed with three singles and a double put the Bulldogs ahead 7-2 with no outs in the inning. Then with two on, the Adrian left-fielder swatted a walk-off three run home run that made it 10-2 and the run rule was enforced.

Freshman Alli Rowland (Westerville, OH / Westerville North) took the loss in the contest. She only recorded four innings of work, surrendering 10 runs (five earned). Her record moves to 5-6 on the year.

In game two of the doubleheader, the sizzling Adrian offense continued its surge by putting up five runs in the first inning. The home team roughed up Patchin, who was making her first start in a little less than a month. The freshman pitcher could retire only one batter, while giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits. Sophomore Lauren Dicke (Lima, OH / Lima Shawnee) came on in relief to close out the frame.

The Jackets would score one run in the third, but were completely stifled by the Bulldog's pitching staff and could not put any more scores up on the board. Adrian tacked on a run in the bottom of the inning and then three more in the fourth frame to go up 9-1 and close out the game to that score. Patchin fell to 4-4 on the season with the loss.

Defiance will return home and look to regroup, as they are right back in action tomorrow Tuesday, April 23 against the Manchester Spartans. The  will be Senior Day, as those finishing up their last season with the Jackets will be honored prior to the start of game one, which is slated for 3:30 p.m.