Yellow Jackets split double header to start season

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Defiance College Yellow Jackets Softball team opened up the 2014 season Sunday afternoon with a double header split in the opening day of the Rebel Spring Games. The Yellow Jackets fell to Beloit, but bounced back with a big victory over Skidmore in game two.

The Yellow Jackets struggled to put hits together in game one against Beloit. DC fell behind in the first inning and were unable to recover, falling 3-0 to Beloit.

In the first inning, Lauren Dicke hit the lead off batter to give Beloit an early base runner. After a strikeout to the second batter, a passed ball allowed the base runner to move into scoring position, which proved costly as a single allowed the run to score and give Beloit a 1-0 lead after one inning.

In the second inning, Beloit started off with a lead off single. After allowing second and third base to be stolen, DC fell behind 2-0 on a squeeze play when Dicke was unable to get the ball back home in time.

Dicke pitched well throughout the rest of the game, giving up just one more big hit, a home run in the fifth inning. For the game, she allowed just seven hits and a walk, while striking out eight.

The Defiance offense matched Beloit in the hit column, but were unable to string at bats together. Kailea Holbrook and Macy Ferrall each went 2-for-3 on the day at the plate. Maggie Neanen and Megan Pleskovic each went 1-for-3 and Megan Warren had a hit in her only at bat to give the Yellow Jackets seven hits.

In game two, the bats came together for the Yellow Jackets, as five players had multi-hit games to push Defiance past Skidmore 9-1.

Warren was one of the Yellow Jackets to record two hits in game two, going 2-for-3 at the plate, including a two-RBI double in the bottom of the fourth.

Defiance responded after giving up a run in the top of the fifth by scoring two runs in the bottom half of the inning and another run in the sixth to secure the victory by run rule.

Makayla McAvoy gave Defiance the first two runs of the inning by way of a pinch hit two-RBI single. In the sixth inning, Marisa Guyton had a walk-off bases loaded single to score the ninth run.

Holbrook and Ferrall both had multi-hit games in game two as well with 2-for-4 outings. Ferrall hit a pair of singles and Holbrook had a double and a single. The duo both went 4-for-7 on the day.

Tori Plummer and Sanra Hubler also had two hits in game two.

Alli Rowland picked up the victory. The sophomore gave up eight hits and a walk. Rowland's loan run against in the game came up on a three consecutive hits in the fifth inning.

The Yellow Jackets will return to action Monday with games against Hiram and Albion. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 against Hiram and 5:30 against Albion.