Yellow Jackets Softball drops pair to Bluffton

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College Yellow Jackets softball team was unable to get the offense rolling on a very windy day at Sal Hench Field, falling to the Bluffton Beavers in a doubleheader 9-1 and 4-0.

The day started out tough for the Yellow Jackets as Bluffton jumped ahead with a home run in the top of the first, followed by another run on an RBI single. Bluffton then added four more runs in the second to open up a 6-0 lead.

From that point, the game settled down for much of the rest of the day.

Bluffton added another run in the third, but Defiance answered with a run of its own in the fourth as the winds proved unkind for the Beavers. Megan Warren scored on a play as the shortstop for Bluffton made an error on a Kali Campbell hit ball.

However, the game was cut short as Bluffton was able to win by run rule after scoring a pair of runs on a wind-aided error for DC in the fifth inning.

In game two, Bluffton and Defiance were locked in a pitching dual for most of the game. Lauren Dicke shut out the offense for Bluffton through the first five innings, allowing just three hits in the first five innings.

Defiance was outhitting Bluffton 6-3 through five innings, but the Yellow Jackets were unable to get the timely hit needed to go ahead, stranding five base runners in scoring position. Defiance's best chance came in the third inning when the Yellow Jackets loaded the bases with one out. However, a chopper to third allowed for the force out at home and a quick throw to first with an inning-ending double play.

Bluffton grabbed the lead from Defiance in the sixth inning, however, utilizing back-to-back hits to left center, scoring a pair of runs. In the seventh, DC gave up two more runs, after a bad hop put the Yellow Jackets in a hole.

Alli Rowland and Lauren Dicke each picked up a loss in the two decisions. Dicke gave up four runs in seven innings of work. Ashley Gordon pitched well in relief in game one, giving up just two earned runs in three innings. She also had two strikeouts and no walks.

Emily Denhard and Maggie Neanen each went 2-for-5 on the day at the plate and also had a walk each.

Defiance will look to rebound with a doubleheader at Anderson on Saturday. Game one is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch in Anderson, Ind.