Hartman Homers to Lead Jackets on Final Day of Spring Games

CLERMONT, FLA. - The Defiance College softball team dropped its final two games of the Spring Games on Friday evening hosted at Hancock Park Complex.

The Purple and Gold (5-7 overall) surged ahead early in game one with Moravian as junior Jen Nashalsky (Galloway/Hilliard Bradley) hit a double to left center before senior Jackie Hartman (Parma/Padua Franciscan) singled through the middle placing runners on first and third in the top of the second inning. Freshman Sophie Moller (Pickerington/North) claimed the RBI as she reached on a fielders choice to second base scoring Nashalsky, 1-0.

Defiance added another run in the top of the fourth inning when senior Michaela Bauer (Hicksville) hit a lead off double to right center. Junior Brooke Gostomsky (Dayton/Covington) advanced Bauer to third as she place a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher. Bauer would later score following a sacrifice fly to center field from Nashalsky, 2-0.

However, Moravian responded in the bottom half of the fourth inning as they capitalized on a DC miscue that led to a four run inning, 4-2. They tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning and one in the sixth inning to capture the 6-2 victory.

Senior Rachel Wehrman (Fort Loramie/Minster) got the call in the circle for Defiance falling to 4-3 overall on the season pitching a complete game allowing six runs on nine hits.

In the night cap with Wartburg, the Yellow Jackets found themselves trailing 5-0 early as WC scored four runs in the third inning and one run in the fourth. 

However, the Purple and Gold responded in the bottom of the fourth inning as Hubble singled up the middle. Nashalsky walked on the next at bat setting the stage for Hartman who homered to center field scoring three runs, 5-3. Wartburg responded in the next half inning stealing a run back for the 6-3 win.

The Yellow Jackets return to action on Tuesday, March 12 as they travel to Denison. The doubleheader is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.