TIFFIN – Unable to cash in on opportunities, the Heidelberg University softball team was swept by Defiance College in its 2023 home opener. The Yellow Jackets prevailed in game one, 7-4, before hanging on for a 5-3 decision in the nightcap.
Sophomore
Jade Torres was 4 for 7 on the day, driving in three runs.
GAME ONE: Defiance 7 Heidelberg 4
Defiance got on the board first, plating a pair of runs in the top of the third. Over the next two innings, the Student Princes would turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 advantage.
With two away,
Murissa Drown cranked a RBI triple to right center, driving in
Emma Dean to cut the Yellow Jacket lead in half. In the fourth, Torres smacked a single to right to bring in
Hanna Blasinsky and
Halie Monhollen.
The one run lead was short-lived, as Defiance immediately answered with a 3-spot in the fifth. Despite a run-scoring double by
Ellie Tressler in the home half of the sixth, Defiance scored twice in the top of the seventh for two key insurance runs.
Heidelberg recorded just five hits, two coming off the bat of Torres.
GAME TWO: Defiance 5 Heidelberg 3
Once again, the Yellow Jackets scored first by pushing across two in the top of the first. Both runs were unearned, as Heidelberg's defense was the Achilles heel in the frame. Defiance tacked on two more in the top of the third to take a 4-0 lead in the early innings.
Led by a big time hit from
Meghan Bame, the Student Princes made a dent in the deficit. The senior sent a two-out single into left center to bring home Torres and pinch runner
Isabella Fuentes
Heidelberg loaded the bases with nobody out in the fourth, but could only scratch across one run in the inning. The Yellow Jackets immediately answered with an insurance run in the top of the fifth to regain a two run advantage.
The Student Princes brought the game-winning run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but a bases loaded line drive off the bat of Torres was lined right into the glove of the Defiance second baseman.
Shortstop
Emma Dean was 3 for 4, clubbing two doubles in the nightcap.
Jessica Voitko struck out five hitters over five innings of work.
The Student Princes left 13 runners on, getting a baserunner aboard in every inning.
Heidelberg (5-9) will have a quick turnaround as they are set to host Albion College (7-5) on Wednesday. Game times at Frann's Field are slated for 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
