Softball Takes Both Games of Doubleheader Against KZOO

DEFIANCE, OHIO  --  Freshman Kaity Kuhn (Celina) went a combined five-of-six at the plate with two runs scored and a RBI to help lead the Defiance College softball team to a pair of victories against Kalamazoo (Mich.) College, 5-3 and 6-4, in a non-conference twinbill at Sal Hench Field.

In game one, both teams traded runs in the first inning with Defiance's (7-19) run coming on a RBI double by sophomore Megan Warren (Mason) that was set up by a Kuhn single in the previous at-bat.  Kalamazoo (6-16) pulled ahead in the third with a pair of runs, but the Yellow Jackets came back with four unanswered runs crossing the plate once in the fourth and three times in the fifth.  DC's run in the fourth came courtesy of a RBI single by junior Megan Pleskovic (Strongsville) and the three-run fifth included a RBI sacrifice fly by junior Makayla McAvoy (Mt. Gilead) and a RBI single by freshman Calli Bauer (Galion) making the score 5-3.  The Hornets led off the top of the seventh with a base hit, but the Jacket defense then recorded three straight outs to seal the two-run victory.

The DC bats had nine hits in game one with Kuhn and Pleskovic both recording a pair of hits.  Kuhn ended the game a perfect two-of-two and scored two runs, while Pleskovic finished two-of-three to go along with a RBI.  Five other Yellow Jacket players each recorded a base hit.

Freshman pitcher Sarah Kaya (Lorain/Clearview) pitched a complete game and got her third win of the season to improve to 3-9 overall.  She allowed three runs, one earned, on eight hits and struck out eight batters.

In the final game of the day, Defiance took the early lead with a run in the second inning thanks to a RBI single by senior Brittany Shough (DeGraff/Riverside).  Kalamazoo evened the game with a run in the top of the fourth, but the Jackets came right back plating three runs in the bottom half of the inning with RBI base hits by McAvoy and freshman Danielle Miracle (Southington/LaBrae) and a RBI ground out by Pleskovic to make the score 4-1.  The Hornets then made a rally of their own equaling DC's three runs in the top of the fifth to pull even on the scoreboard again, 4-4.  The deciding runs would come in the bottom of the sixth when Kuhn plated a run on a single with runners at first and third base and was later followed by a RBI double by junior Sandra Hubler (Berea) as DC claimed the 6-4 win and the two-game sweep.

Defiance ended game two with 13 hits, led by Kuhn who went three-of-four with a RBI.  Shough was two-of-two with a run scored and RBI and Miracle rounded out the multi-hit efforts going two-of-three at the plate including two runs scored and a RBI.  Six other Yellow Jackets all had a base hit in the win.

On the mound, freshman Haley Patty (Bradford) started the game and pitched four innings.  She would end up with a no decision after allowing four runs, two earned, on eight hits and had one strikeout.  Kaya came on to pitch the final three innings and got her second win of the day, and fourth of the season (4-9 overall), giving up no runs and just two hits.

Defiance will continue its home stand with a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader against Manchester (Ind.) University on Wednesday, Apr. 15 at Sal Hench Field.  The first game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.