Cornerstone defeats Defiance on Senior Day

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College Yellow Jackets fell to the Cornerstone Golden Eagles on Senior Day Friday at Sal Hench Field, though they honored the graduating pair of Anika Craft and Elizabeth Patrick. 

For the past four years, Craft and Patrick have suited up for DC. Craft, one of the most decorated pitchers in Defiance's record book, is second all-time in career stolen bases with 32, second all-time in career bases-on-balls with 187, third all-time in career strikeouts with 368, seventh all-time in career complete games pitched with 35 and tied for No. 8 all-time in career wins – 27. 

Patrick is an integral part of the team, appearing in six career games, five this season, as a pinch hitter, designated player, and in Friday's game one, the first baseman. 

Game 1: Defiance 3, Cornerstone 8

The Yellow Jackets (9-33, 2-18 WHAC) stepped up to bat at the bottom of game one's first inning down 2-0 to Cornerstone (24-12, 10-6 WHAC), but quickly earned the lead heading into the second. With Craft and Kaylee Heath on base, a double from Morgan Scott earned her two RBIs. Next up, Avery Roever's single allowed Scott to cross home plate and DC led 3-2.

With runs in five of the following six innings, the Golden Eagles' offense continued to produce and shut out Defiance for the remainder of the contest. 

Patrick earned her first start at first base this season and notched 12 putouts. 

Game 2: Defiance 6, Cornerstone 13

Cornerstone picked up where it left off in game one with six runs in the first five innings of the second game. At the top of the sixth, Sydney Fackler – shortly followed by Taighen Zipfel – replaced Craft at pitcher and the Yellow Jacket defense allowed six runs and six hits. 

To keep the contest alive, Defiance took advantage of the Golden Eagles' relief pitcher with a walk, a single and a reach on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Madison Guggenbiller took the plate and walked to send home Craft. On a wild pitch, each of the runners advanced and a single from Anna Emswiler brought in Roever. A double from Heath gave her two RBIs as Emswiler and Guggenbiller scored for DC. After the sixth, Cornerstone led 12-5. 

The visiting team put one more on the board at the top of the seventh and Craft came in to pitch her final inning at Sal Hench Field. With runs to score at the bottom of the inning – two outs on the scoreboard – a double, walk and single loaded the bases once again and a hit from Zipfel sent Guggenbiller home. However, Ali Mowen grounded out to second base to conclude the day for Defiance. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS  

• Morgan Scott, Avery Roever, Kaylee Heath and Madison Guggenbiller each doubled on the day. 

• Double RBIs belonged to Scott and Heath. Roever earned one in game one, while Guggenbiller, Emswiler and Taighen Zipfel hauled in runs in the second. Scott leads the team with 38 this season.

• Roever caught six fly balls at center field. 

• At second base, Scott assisted on five outs in game two. 

• Emma Rodgers (2.2 IP) and Devyn Hamilton (4.1 IP) pitched for the Yellow Jackets in game one. Rodgers took the loss and is now 1-5 on the season.

• Anika Craft (6 IP), Sydney Fackler (0.1 IP) and Zipfel (0.2 IP) pitched for Defiance in game two. Craft took the loss and is now 4-13 on the season. 

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets will travel to Aquinas for a doubleheader against the Saints at the Gainey Athletic Complex in Grand Rapids, Mich. Saturday. First pitch is at 1 p.m.

-JACKETS-