Offensive Explosion Leads DC to Split with Heidelberg

TIFFIN, OHIO - The Defiance College softball team used an offensive explosion on Wednesday afternoon to earn the split at Heidelberg, winning the back end of the doubleheader 6-4. DC fell in the series opener 8-5.

In the night cap, Heidelberg struck first in the bottom of the third inning before the DC (6-8 overall) offense took over in the next half inning. In the top of the fourth inning, senior Jordan Osborne (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) got the four run explosion started as she singled to center field before advancing to second on a junior Brooke Gostomsky (Dayton/Covington)  bunt. Freshman Kalin Hubble (Anderson, Ind.) connected for a sacrifice bunt that placed runners on second and third base before senior Michaela Bauer (Hicksville) singled to left field scoring Osborne, 1-1. Gostomsky would later score off a RBI by senior Jackie Hartman (Parma/Padua Franciscan) giving DC the 2-1 advantage. The Purple and Gold added two more runs later in the inning as sophomore Jen Nashalsky (Galloway/Hilliard Bradley) delivered a double to left field that scored both Hartman and Bauer, 4-1.

The Yellow Jackets would add a pair of insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning as Hartman reached first off a single to right field. Sophomore Hali Geraci (Springboro) advanced the runner on the next at bat as she doubled to left center placing Jackets on second and third. Sophomore McKenzie Baker (Bellville/Clear Fork) drove in a run on a two out single before Osborne plated the innings final run with a shot down the left field line, 6-1.

The Student Princes attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning as they were able to score three runs before sophomore, pitcher Taylor Biggs (Cincinnati/Oak Hills) was able to retire the side with a ground ball to short stop that sealed the game two victory.

Biggs (2-4 overall) claimed the win on the mound pitching a complete game with one strikeout. 

Defiance found themselves trailing early in game one as Heidelberg used a single through the right side to take the first inning 1-0 lead. 

However, the Purple and Gold responded in the next half inning as Bauer reached first on a Student Prince miscue. She would later score following a sacrifice bunt from freshman Sophie Moller (Pickerington/North) that set the stage for Nashalsky. Nashalsky doubled to right center scoring Bauer and tying the contest at 1-1. Hartman would exchange places with Nashalsky on the next at bat as she singled down the right field line to give Defiance the 2-1 advantage. 

The Heidelberg bats remained hot as they scored the game tying run in the bottom of the second inning before plating six more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning for the 8-2 lead.

The Purple and Gold continued to battle as they stole one run back in the top of the fifth inning as sophomore Geraci walked before advancing to second off a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Erin Breece (Hamler/Patrick Henry). After stealing third, Gostomsky provided the clutch hit down the right field line, scoring Geraci.

Defiance looked to rally in the top of the seventh inning as Baker reached first on an error by the Heidelberg shortstop. Gostomsky came through once more as she tripled to left field scoring, pinch runner, Breece. Trailing 8-4, Hubble singled up the middle to score the games final run as the Student Princes were able to retire the side and win game one 8-5. 

The Yellow Jackets return to action on Monday, March 25 as they travel to Adrian, Mich. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4;00 p.m.