Wehrman Leads Yellow Jackets in Early Season Split

CLERMONT, FLA. - Senior, pitcher, Rachel Wehrman (Fort Loramie/Minster) recorded her fourth win of the season as the Purple and Gold split on Thursday morning defeating Wittenberg 6-2 before falling to Roanoke at the Hancock Field Complex. 

In game one with Wittenberg, Wehrman got the start recording a three-up, three-down first inning. The Yellow Jacket 95-5 overall) offense backed their senior pitcher as they plated two runs in the bottom half of the second inning. Junior Brooke Gostomsky (Dayton/Covington) led off the inning for Defiance as she doubled to left field. Freshman Kalin Hubble (Anderson, Ind.) then delivered a sacrifice bunt that advanced Gostomsky and set the stage for senior Jackie Hartman (Parma/Padua Franciscan).

Hartman responded as she smashed a homerun over deep center field giving DC the early 2-0 lead. Wittenberg would plate a run in the top of the fourth inning before the Purple and Gold responded led by freshman Sophie Moller (Pickerington/North) with a single to right field, scoring Hartman. Sophomore Hali Geraci (springboro) followed it up with an RBI that scored pinch runner, freshman Makenzie Wilson (Haskins/Otsego) to give DC the 4-1 advantage.

The Purple and Gold tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as junior Arianna Richards (Covington) drew a lead off walk. Sophomore Emma Perry (Bowling Green/Otsego) executed a perfect sacrifice bunt that advanced Richards who later stole third. She would score on the next at bat as senior Michaela Bauer (Hicksville) recorded an RBI, 5-2. 

Defiance scored the final run in the inning as Gostomsky hit a single to left center and later scored following an RBI double from Hubble, 6-2.

Wehrman pitched a complete game improving to 4-2 overall on the season with two strike outs.

Roanoke surged ahead early in the second game as they plated three runs in the bottom of the third inning and one in the fourth, 4-0. However, Defiance looked to respond in the top of the sixth inning as sophomore Taylor Biggs (Cincinnati/Oak Hills) hit a lead off single to center. Sophomore Jen Nashalsky (Galloway/Hilliard Bradley) showed poise at the dish as she walked placing runners on second and first. Bauer would load the bases on the next at bat as she singled to shortstop before Roanoke was able to retire the side.

The Purple and Gold registered its first run in the top of the seventh as they looked to complete the comeback rally. With the bases loaded once more freshman Zoe Doll (Minford) stepped to the plate connecting for a two out RBI to right center, scoring Hubble and Geraci, 6-2. But once again the Roanoke pitching staff deemed to much as they were able to with stand the threat.

The Yellow Jackets wrap up its annual spring break trip on Friday, March 8 as they take on Moravian at 11:30 a.m., followed by Wartburg at 3:45 p.m.