Softball 2025 Preview: DC looks to make impression in inaugural WHAC season

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Just moments away from the start of softball season, Defiance College and second-year head coach Jordan Osborne are preparing to build off of last season upon making its return to the NAIA for the first time since 1991. The 2025 season will additionally serve as the Purple and Gold's introduction to the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.

In 2024, the Yellow Jackets went 14-25 overall and 9-9 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Their season came to a close after consecutive losses to Manchester and Earlham in the HCAC Tournament, which the Jackets have advanced to in six of the last eight seasons. 

SEASON OUTLOOK

Osborne, assisted by Kalin Hubble – another DC softball alumnus who is additionally entering her second year coaching, will kickstart the year at home for the first time since the 2022 season. 

Defiance will play a 45-game slate, including nine double-headers at its home of Sal Hench Field. In mid-march, the Yellow Jackets will head down south for the Space Coast Spring Games taking place at various ballparks in Florida before returning home and beginning WHAC play against Cornerstone on March 21. 

"We're excited to see new competition as we begin our NAIA and WHAC journey. We have a great group of players and are excited to see them grow and bond as the season progresses," Osborne said. "With the condensed travel and schedule, our players should have more time in class and outside of softball which I truly believe will lead to a better student-athlete experience." 

About the Team

Looking ahead to this 2025 season — the 45th in program history — Defiance returns seven players, while welcoming 11 newbies to the ball field, five freshman, four transfers and two sophomore first-timers. Despite losing four key players to graduation last spring, including Brooke Silcox who is in the Yellow Jackets history books for most runs scored in a season (40, 2022), most runs scored in a single game (5), and is in the top-10 in hits, doubles and extra-base hits, DC brings back two seasoned seniors. Anika Craft will return to the mound for her fourth year, accompanied by Elizabeth Patrick.

Craft, a Radnor, Ohio native, is a key piece for Defiance. Currently with 294 career strikeouts, the senior is just 118 away from matching the program record in strikeouts – 412, set by Justine Johnston in the 2006-09 era. Additionally, Craft is five games away from entering the career top-10 in pitching appearances. She currently resides in the top-10 in strikeouts (fourth, 294), complete games pitched (ninth, 28), wins (10th, 23), bases on balls (fourth, 144) and shutouts (T-8, five). 

The Yellow Jackets also bring back experience at shortstop with junior Ali Mowen and center field/first base in sophomore Madison Guggenbiller. Last season, the pair combined for a fielding percentage of 91.6% and 201 putouts. In hitting, Guggenbiller leads the team's returners in runs batted in, home runs, walks and doubles. 

"I feel like our returners bring a sense of strong leadership and direction to our program," Osborne said. "They've done a great job helping our newcomers adapt and buy in while also continuing to develop their individual skills. They've been in the program long enough to know the expectations and to have seen where we started from and where we are moving. They've been a huge piece for us in regards to driving forwards."

Conference Outlook

The Madonna Crusaders were voted No. 1 in the WHAC preseason poll following a 54-6 overall season, including being named the 2024 WHAC Regular-Season Champions, WHAC Tournament Champions and reaching the NAIA Softball World Series. The Crusaders ultimately lost to the national champions in the championship bracket and the national runner-up in the losers bracket. 

As newcomers, Defiance was placed at No. 12 in the poll. The Yellow Jackets, however, have played five WHAC schools prior to entry, which include the Crusaders, Siena Heights, Indiana Tech, Concordia and Aquinas. Overall, Defiance is 10-11 versus the conference throughout history.  

Returning 2024 Statistical Leaders (Top 3, if applicable)

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