Hubble Smashes the Single Season Home Run Record in Sweep of Hanover

DEFIANCE, OHIO - Freshman Kalin Hubble (Anderson, Ind.) registered her 10th home run of the season en route to becoming the Defiance College single season home run leader on Wednesday afternoon as the Yellow Jackets swept Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Hanover. The Purple and Gold (20-14 overall, 9-5 HCAC) claimed game one 2-1 before taking game two 5-0. 

Senior Rachel Wehrman (Fort Loramie/Minster) recorded her 10th win in the circle as she pitched a complete game one allowing just one run on seven hits.

The Yellow Jacket defense made a statement in the top of the first inning as the Panthers looked to strike first when junior Brooke Gostomsky (Dayton/Covington) played a double play ball that left a Hanover runner stranded. 

However, the Panthers would break the scoreless tie in the top of the second inning as Ruddick connected for a single up the middle that gave HC the 1-0 advantage.

The Yellow Jackets continued to swarm as they were finally able to plate a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning following a lead off double by Gostomsky. Hubble would advance the junior on the next at bat as she reached on a Hanover error that knotted the contest at 1-1. Hubble would go on to score the game winning run as senior Jackie Hartman (Parma/Padua Franciscan) hit a shot to right center tallying the games final RBI.

As a team, Defiance plated two runs on six hits led by Hartman going 3-for-3 at the dish with an RBI.

The Purple and Gold carried the momentum into game two as they placed runners on first and second in the bottom half of the first inning before the Panthers were able to retire the side. However, the Yellow Jackets would bring the sting with their next at bat as Hartman drew a lead of walk before a sacrafice bunt from freshman Sophie Moller (Pickerington/North) advanced the runner to scoring position. Sophomore Hali Geraci (Springboro) provided the timely hit as she singled through the left side recording the RBI, 1-0.

Geraci eventually found herself on third following a pair of Hanover miscues when junior Arianna Richards (Covington) stole second forcing a throw that allowed the sophomore to score, 2-0. 

The record breaking excitement came in the bottom of the fourth inning for the Purple and Gold as Gostomsky and Hubble provided back-to-back home runs. Hubble scored the games final run as she smashed a record setting dinger to capture the 5-0 victory for Defiance. 

Sophomore Taylor Biggs (Cincinnati/Oak Hills) improved to 9-5 overall on the season as she pitched a complete game shutout.