Softball drops a pair of non-conference games at Adrian

ADRIAN. Mich.- On Wednesday evening, the Defiance College softball team traveled to Adrian College for a doubleheader. The Yellow Jackets fell short in game one by a 7-3 score before dropping the nightcap 4-3. 

In game one, the Bulldogs took an early 3-0 advantage after two innings, but in the top of the third, Defiance cut the deficit to one run. Hali Geraci used her speed to get on first with a single to the pitcher. The senior then stole second to set the plate for Kalin Hubble, who singled to right field to score Geraci.  Sophie Moller then scored Hubble with a single to right-center to make the score 3-2. 

Adrian added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Defiance answered back with a run in the fifth inning as Marissa Roberts plated Laney Grimwood as she reached first on an error, making the score 5-3. The Yellow Jackets gave up two more runs in the bottom of the six and were unable to overcome the deficit as Adrian took game one by a 7-3 score. 

Defiance registered three hits to Adrian's six, and the Yellow Jackets were guilty of two of the three errors in the contest. The home side left eight runners on base, compared to three runners left on for the Yellow Jackets. 

Taylor Biggs (1-3) started on the mound for the Purple and Gold, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing seven runs on six hits. The senior walked three and struck out five before freshman Jyillen Welk came in for relief to pitch 1.0 inning. 

In game two, the Bulldogs struck first again in the bottom of the opening inning as they took an early one-run lead. Defiance answered back in the top of the third as Moller led off with a single to center field before McKenzie Baker also singled to center to put runners at first and second. Grimwood draws a walk to load the bases for Natalee Cooper, who singles to right field to give the Yellow Jackets a 2-1 lead. 

Adrian responded with a two-run bottom half of the third inning and tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth, taking a 4-2 advantage.  For the Yellow Jackets, Brooke Silcox led off the top of the seventh inning with a single to right field. Baker then moved her to third with a single up the middle and Cooper gets her third RBI of the night with a single to center field, making it a one-run ball game. Despite a Defiance rally in the seventh, Adrian was able to hang on for the 4-3 win. 

The Yellow Jackets registered 11 hits to the Bulldogs six. Moller went 3 for 3 in game two with a walk, while Cooper went 2 for 3 with three RBI and a walk. 

On the mound for the Purple and Gold, Savannah McCoy (1-1) pitched six innings allowing four runs and two walks while striking out a pair of Bulldogs.

Defiance slips to 2-5-1 overall on the season, and the Yellow Jackets are scheduled to be back in action Saturday, March 20, as they travel to Alma College for a doubleheader. The first pitch is slated for 1:00 pm.