Softball falls in tough season-opening battle

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Defiance College softball team opened the 2020 season with two losses on Saturday afternoon at the Rhodes College Invite. The Yellow Jackets lost an exciting opening game in an extra-inning battle against Fontbonne University, before falling to Rhodes College 9-0 in five innings.  

In the season opener, Fontbonne scored two runs in the first inning, but Defiance wasted little time getting on the scoreboard tacking on seven straight runs, taking a 7-4 lead heading into the fourth inning. 

The Purple and Gold tacked on another run as senior Brooke Gostomsky (Covington, Ohio/Covington) doubled to left scoring freshman Josilyn Guzman (Woodhaven, Mich. / Woodhaven) at the bottom of the sixth inning, 8-5. 

The Griffins answered back with three runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the score at 8-8. In extra-inning, Fontbonne tacked on four runs, and Defiance answered back, as sophomore Kalin Hubble (Anderson, Ind./ Anderson) doubled to right center scoring Makenzie Wilson (Haskins, Ohio / Ostego), making it 12-9. Junior Jen Nashalsky (Galloway, Ohio / Hilliard Bradley) singled up the middle to score Hubble, making the score 12-10, but the Yellow Jackets couldn't overcome the deficit suffering a tough loss to open the season.  

The Yellow Jackets were led by Hubble, who went 4 for 5 with a double and one RBI. Wilson was clutch at the plate with a triple as well as two RBI on the day. Gostomsky also had a strong day at the plate with two doubles and an RBI. 

Junior Taylor Biggs (Cincinnati, Ohio / Oak Hills) started in the circle for the Purple and Gold as she pitched six complete innings allowing seven runs on eleven hits. Jennifer Kaffenbarger (DeGraff, Ohio / Indian Lake) got the loss on the day coming in for 2 relief innings.

In-game two, the Purple and Gold, were blanked 9-0 by Rhodes. The Lynx scored throughout the game, finishing with 9 runs on 15 hits. Struggling to find an offensive groove, Defiance had two lone hits as Guzman and Hali Geraci (Springboro, Ohio / Springboro) each singled in the fifth inning.

"It wasn't our greatest day at the field," said head coach Megan Warren. "But we saw a lot of positives, and we are excited to get back out on the field tomorrow."

Defiance returns to action on Sunday, February 23, as they take on Fontbonne at 10:00 a.m. CST, followed by Rhodes at 12:00 p.m. CST.