Softball sweeps Manchester in HCAC battle

The Defiance softball team swept Manchester in an HCAC battle on Wednesday afternoon, taking Game 1, 2-0, and winning Game 2 in six innings, 12-4.

The Basics

• Records: Defiance (16-10, 7-3), Manchester (12-20, 3-7)
• Location: Defiance, Ohio - Sal Hench Field
• Attendance: 100

Notables: Prior to the start of Game 1, the Defiance softball team celebrated Staff and Faculty Appreciation Day.

Game 1

Inside The Numbers

• Senior Taylor Biggs started on the mound pitching all seven innings earning the win. She pitched another shutout and allowed seven hits while striking out six batters.
• Senior Hali Geraci and junior Josilyn Guzman led the Yellow Jackets with one hit and one RBI each.
• Senior Sophie Moller added two hits.
• Junior Marissa Roberts and sophomore Laney Grimwood each chipped in one hit during the game.
• Tori Blough pitched the first 1.1 innings allowing two runs and five hits.
• Morgan Michael and Brianna Morrow each led Manchester with two hits.

The Difference

• The Yellow Jackets started off the scoring in the first inning getting RBI singles from Geraci and Guzman to take an early 2-0.
• Strong pitching and a stout defense helped keep the final score of 2-0.

Game 2

Inside The Numbers

• Freshman Anika Craft earned the start in the circle for the Yellow Jackets and pitched all six innings to notch the victory. She allowed four runs off of two hits and recorded five strikeouts.
• Freshman Destiny Coil led Defiance at the plate going a perfect 4-for-4.
• Senior Kalin Hubble and sophomore Brooke Silcox each went 3-of-4 with Silcox notching two RBIs and Hubble three RBIs.
• Freshman Amber Krause tallied three hits and one RBI.
• Roberts added two hits and two RBIs during the contest.
• Guzman chipped in one hit and two RBIs.
• Lizzie Smith pitched the first three innings and allowed ten runs off 14 hits.

The Difference

• The Yellow Jackets erupted in the first innings recording seven runs to take an early 7-0 lead.
• Defiance added three more runs in the third to increase their lead to 10-0.
• Manchester got their first run in the fourth inning and then grabbed three more runs in the fifth to make the score, 10-4.
• The Yellow Jackets gained a run in the fifth off a solo shot from Hubble to make it 11-4.
• Krause hit the game sealing RBI to finish the game in the six inning and make the final score of 12-4.

Up Next

• The Yellow Jackets next look to defend home field for the last time in the regular season when they take on Mount St. Joseph in HCAC play on Saturday, April 23 for Senior Day. Game 1 is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and Game 2 will be at 3:00 p.m. Senior Day festivities will begin prior to Game 1.