Softball battles Hope in home opener

DEFIANCE, Ohio- The Defiance College softball team hosted Hope College in their home opener at Sal Hench Field on Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets dropped a thrilling 11 inning opening game 5-2 before falling by a 6-0 score in game two. 

Hope was the first to strike in game one, recording their initial two runs in the contest's opening inning. Defiance pushed across a run in the third inning as Marissa Roberts reached first on a Hope error and later stole second base, maneuvering around the tag to get into scoring position. Hali Geraci then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Roberts to third, and Sophie Moller hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Roberts and get the Yellow Jackets on the board. 

Defiance strung together a few hits late in the seventh inning, and with runners at second and third a line drive by Kalin Hubble that tipped off the center fielders glove tied the game at 2-2. The Yellow Jackets were able to hold the Flying Dutch scoreless after the initial runs early in the game, but Hope was able to rally in extra innings as they put up three solidifying runs in the 11th inning. 

Taylor Biggs got the start on the mound for the Purple and Gold, pitching 10.1 innings, allowing nine hits while striking out eight. Freshman Jyllien Welk came in for relief to face two batters in the 11th inning and struck out one. 

The Yellow Jacket offense produced 12 hits compared to nine for the visitors. Roberts went 2 for 6 in game one, while Hubble went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a walk. 

In game two, Hope used the moment from the opening extra-inning game to put up five runs in the second inning and registered the final run of the game in the fourth inning to defeat the Yellow Jackets 6-0. 

Welk got the start for game two, pitching 1.0 inning, giving up two hits, three walks, and five runs. Savannah McCoy came in for relief in the second inning and pitched 6.0 innings. The freshman allowed five hits, four walks, and one run while striking out one.

Defiance returns to action on Sunday, March 14th, as they travel to Hanover College for a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2:00 PM.