Yellow Jackets Celebrate Senior Day in Contest with Franklin

DEFIANCE, OHIO - The Defiance College softball team recognized seven seniors on Saturday afternoon at Sal Hench Field as they wrapped up regular season action with Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent Franklin. The Purple and Gold dropped the opener 1-0 and fell in the night cap 4-1.

Defiance celebrated seniors Jackie Hartman (Parma/Padura Franciscan), Ely King (Mechanicsburg/Northeastern) Michaela Bauer (Hicksville), Jordan Osborne (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes), Rebekah Groden (North Olmsted), Paige Sickmiller (Leipsic), and Rachel Wehrman (Fort Loramie/Minster).

The game one lone run came in the bottom of the second inning as the Grizzlies plated the run with bases loaded following a single up the middle. 

Hartman posted a strong performance for the Yellow Jackets in the contest going 1-for-3 at the dish with two stellar defensive catches eliminating the charging Grizzlies. 

Wherman pitched the complete game in the circle for Defiance surrendering one run on eight hits.

In game two, the Yellow Jackets would strike in the bottom of the first inning as Osborne hit a lead off single before a sacrifice bunt from junior Brooke Gostomsky (Dayton/Covington) advanced her to second. A wild pitch would place her in scoring position for Bauer who registered the RBI for the Purple and Gold en route to the 1-0 lead.

However, Franklin responded with the tying run in the top of the fourth inning before adding three more in the top of the fifth inning for 4-1 victory.

The Yellow Jackets concluded the regular season 20-16 overall, 9-7 HCAC and will await the results for the HCAC Tournament.