Defiance Sweeps Olivet (Mich.) in Home Opener

DEFIANCE, OHIO -- The Defiance College softball team earned a pair of victories against Olivet (Mich.) College in their home opener at Sal Hench Field. The Yellow Jackets won the first game, 4-3, while bringing home a 6-0 victory in the nightcap.

In game one, DC (7-7) began the scoring early, as Jordan Osborne (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) walked, was sacrificed to second, and eventually scored on a Comet error to give Defiance a 1-0 edge. They continued the scoring in the second frame when junior Keri Hupp (Louisville) and Osborne walked before being drove in on a bases-clearing double from senior Emily Denhard (Troy, Mich./Kolbe Academy) to extend the DC lead to 3-0.

After Olivet (8-10) scored two runs in the third inning, Defiance responded in the bottom half of the inning when senior Megan Warren (Mason) led off the inning by reaching on an error, then came around to score on a Michaela Bauer (Hicksville) single to make it a 4-2 game. Olivet scored a run in the fourth, but Defiance junior hurler Sara Kaya (Lorain/Clearview) held them scoreless for the final three innings to give the Yellow Jackets a 4-3 win.

Kaya improves her record to 4-4 with the victory, throwing seven innings and allowing three runs on six hits to go along with a season-high nine strikeouts. The Yellow Jacket offense was led by the top two spots in the lineup, as Osborne reached on two walks and scored two runs, while Denhard finished the game one-for-three with a pair of RBI.

The DC offense continued their early-game success in game two, scoring a pair of runs in each of the first two innings. The opening frame saw Denhard double to left center and score on a single up the middle by junior Kaity Kuhn (Celina) to give Defiance their first run. Warren and freshman Brooke Gostomsky (Covington) garnered consecutive singles to drive in Kuhn to make it a 2-0 DC lead.  Kuhn continued her hot streak in the second frame by shooting a two-run single to center field to give the Yellow Jackets a 4-0 edge after two innings.

DC added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth frame, starting when Gostomsky led off the inning with a walk and advanced on a sac bunt. She advanced to third on a base knock from junior Haley Patty (Bradford) before scoring on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 5-0. Patty scored two batters later on an RBI fielders' choice from Hupp to end the scoring and wrap-up a 6-0 Defiance victory.

In game two, Defiance was paced by a four-hit shutout from sophomore Jamie Kimbler (Huber Heights Wayne). Kimbler walked just one batter while striking out one in the victory. Kuhn led the Yellow Jackets on offense, hitting two-of-three with three RBI on the evening. Gostomsky finished a perfect two-for-two with an RBI and a run scored.

Defiance is scheduled to return to the diamond tomorrow (Saturday, Mar. 25) with a trip to Granville, Ohio for a doubleheader against Denison University. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.