Softball rallies to earn a split against Trine

ANGOLA, Ind.- The Defiance College softball team hit the road again to take on No. 22 Trine University in a doubleheader on Wednesday evening. The Yellow Jackets battled the Thunder in the opening game but were edged by a 3-2 score. In the nightcap, Defiance rallied in the top of the seventh inning to come from behind and earn a split with a 5-4 victory. 

Marissa Roberts led the Purple and Gold at the dish going 6 for 7 on the day with two runs, one double, and a walk. While Kalin Hubble also continued her hitting streak with four RBI, two doubles, and a home run.

In game one, Defiance struck first in the top of the third inning as Hubble hit a double to left-center to score Roberts and Jen Nashalsky gave the Yellow Jackets an early 2-0 lead with a single up the middle that scored Hubble. 

Trine responded with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead, and Defiance was unable to recover, dropping a hard-fought game by a 4-3 score.

Taylor Biggs (3-7) pitched a solid 6.0 innings for the Purple and Gold, surrendering three runs, one earned, off three hits and five walks. The senior faced 25 batters and struck out seven throughout the game. 

The fight continued in game two as Defiance jumped out to an early lead when Roberts led off with a double down the left-field line and Hubble homered to give the Yellow Jackets an early 2-0 advantage. 

The Thunder quickly answered back with four runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 4-2 lead before Defiance made it a one-run ball game in the top of the fourth, 4-3. 

Defiance stayed resilient at the plate in the top of the seventh as they were able to manufacture two runs and fend off the Thunder in the bottom half of the inning to earn a 5-4 victory. 

Riley Alcorn is ticketed with her first career win as she came in for Savannah McCoy to pitch 3.0 innings allowing two hits, no runs, and struck out three. Biggs registered a save as she returned to the mound in the bottom of the seventh to close out the game. 

The Purple and Gold move to 6-9-1 on the season and are scheduled to be back in action on Monday, March 29, as they host Manchester University for a doubleheader starting at 3:30 pm.