Jackets Sweep MSJ; Holava Earns 200th Career Win

DEFIANCE, OHIO – Head Coach Jodie Holava earns her 200th career win as Defiance College softball swept Mount St. Joseph University in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader on senior day at Sal Hench Field.

In game one, Defiance (14-18, 5-7 HCAC) was the first team to put a run on the scoreboard and took an early 1-0 lead over MSJ (14-19-1, 4-8 HCAC) in the bottom of the first inning after junior Megan Warren (Mason) hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score freshman Jordan Osborne (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes).

The scoring remained idle until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Yellow Jackets tacked on three more runs to extend their lead to 4-0. Warren delivered again, this time with a three-run home run that was set up by two consecutive walks drawn by Osborne and junior Emily Denhard (Troy, Mich. /Kolbe Academy).

The DC defense held the Lions the next two innings to secure the 4-0 shutout victory in favor of the home team.

The Purple and Gold recorded three hits coming off the bats of three different Yellow Jackets. At pitcher, sophomore Sarah Kaya (Lorain/Clearview) pitched the complete game and recorded the shutout victory after allowing no runs off of three hits, while sitting down seven batters.

The second game of the twinbill began just like the first, as the Yellow Jackets crossed home first after Warren hit a RBI-single that allowed Osborne to score to take the early 1-0 lead.

The Lions answered back in the top of the second with one run of their own to even the score 1-1. The Yellow Jackets weren't going anywhere and was able to add one more run in the bottom of the third after Warren hit another RBI-single, this time to score Denhard.

After a scoreless fourth, DC added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth after Warren hit her third RBI-single of the day, to extend the Yellow Jacket lead to 3-1.

The DC defense tightened up and held the Lions to two scoreless innings and ended the game ahead of MSJ by a final score of 3-1.

The Yellow Jackets recorded six hits coming from four different players. Warren went a perfect three-of-three at the plate and tallied three runs batted in. In the circle, freshman Jamie Kimbler (Huber Heights/ Wayne) pitched the complete game and record the win after allowing just one run off of two hits and tallying two strike outs.

DC will look to continue their winning ways tomorrow (Apr. 24) when they host Rose-Hulman (Ind.) Institute of Technology for a HCAC doubleheader at Sal Hench Field. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.