Softball splits with Franklin on Senior Day

DEFIANCE, Ohio- The Defiance College softball team recognized seven seniors on Saturday afternoon at Sal Hench Field as they took on Franklin College for a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader. The Purple and Gold fell short in the opener by a 3-2 score before winning game two, 4-3.

Defiance celebrated seniors Macy Bowling, Erin Breece, Hali Geraci, Jen Nashalsky, Jennifer Kaffenbarger, McKenzie Baker, and Taylor Biggs.

In game one, Franklin took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning and held Defiance scoreless until the sixth inning.  Hali Geraci got the Yellow Jackets on the board with an RBI double to score pinch-runner Erin Breece, to cut the deficit to 2-1. Kalin Hubble brought in a run with a single up the middle as the game was now tied at 2-2. 

In extra innings, the Grizzlies scored a run in the top of the eighth to claim the 3-2 win over Defiance. The Yellow Jackets registered two runs, and two hits, while Franklin posted three runs and seven hits. 

Taylor Biggs (7-13) threw a complete game, pitching all eight innings surrendering three runs, two earned on seven hits and three walks, while striking out seven. 

In game two, the Grizzlies took an early 2-0 lead by the third inning, but thanks to a record-breaking two-run homer from Hubble, DC tied the game at 2-2. The junior became the leading record holder at Defiance College for career home runs with 19 total homers. 

Franklin responded with a run in the top of the fifth, taking the 3-2 advantage. 

The Yellow Jackets answered back as Hubble lead off the bottom of the fifth inning with another record-breaking hit. The junior doubled to left-center to become the leading record holder for single-season doubles with 15. Sophie Moller followed up with a double to right-center to score Hubble and tie the game at 3-3. 

Brooke Silcox rounded out the Yellow Jacket scoring with a sacrifice fly to left field to score Moller and give the Yellow Jackets the 4-3 lead. The Purple and Gold held on to the one-run lead to earn a split on the day. 

Marissa Roberts finished the game going 3 for 4 with two doubles and one run, while Hubble went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, one double, and a home run. Compared to the Grizzlies' three runs on five hits, the Yellow Jackets tallied four runs on nine hits. 

Savannah McCoy (6-6) threw a complete game allowing three runs on five hits and one walk. 

Defiance moves to 14-21-1 overall on the season and 6-8 in the HCAC standings. The Yellow Jackets are scheduled to be back in action tomorrow, May 2, as they conclude league play with a pair of games at Rose-Hulman. Game one is scheduled for a 1:00 pm start in Terre Haute, Ind.