Defiance and UM-Dearborn split the day; DC breaks WHAC losing streak

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Defiance College split Saturday with the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines as the Yellow Jackets took game one in a close decision and game two turned into a 10-inning thriller at Sal Hench Field. 

Game 1: Defiance 4, UM-Dearborn 3

UM-Dearborn earned one run in the first inning with a home run to take a 1-0 lead, but Defiance came out swinging and with bases loaded, a single to shortstop by Taighen Zipfel evened the score – earning an RBI – as Ali Mowen scored. Anika Craft followed with a score as Madison Guggenbiller reached first on a fielder's choice. The Yellow Jackets ended the inning up by three as Morgan Scott scored on a wild pitch. 

The Wolverines scored sole runs in both the second and third innings. At the bottom of the sixth, another single from Zipfel brought in Craft – Zipfel's second RBI of the game. As a defensive stop would end the game, the Jackes stood strong and went four up, three down to secure the victory. 

Game 2: Defiance 10, UM-Dearborn 13 (10 innings)

Defiance opened the scoring in the second inning of game two with five runs from Zipfel, Mowen, Anna Emswiler, Craft and Emma Linn. The Yellow Jackets added another five in the third. Hits from Emswiler, Avery Roever and Kaylee Heath propelled DC through home plate. First baseman Madison Guggenbiller was the final out of the inning. 

However, the Wolverines started turning it on with runs in the third, fourth, fifth and seventh – which tied the scoring at 10. In extra innings, both squads kept it close as Emma Rodgers stayed steady at the mound. At the top of the tenth and final inning, an error by left fielder Craft turned into a pair of runs for the maize and blue. The following batter singled to right field, which contributed one more. As Defiance took to the plate, it went four up, three down to split the day.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS  

• Morgan Scott led the day with three RBIs – all in game two – now bringing her total on the season to 33. She had a run on the day. 

• Anika Craft batted 62.5% to lead the Yellow Jackets in the doubleheader. 

• Sydney Fackler and Emma Rodgers each notched their first double plays on defense.

• Madison Guggenbiller had 19 putouts at first base. This is her second most productive doubleheader on the season. 

• At catcher, Anna Emswiler made two plays at home with eight outs in the games. 

• Taighen Zipfel had three hits and two RBIs. Before Saturday, she had two RBIs on the season. 

• This is Defiance's first win in 10 games. The Jackets bested Lourdes in game one on March 30. 

• Craft (2.1 IP) and Sydney Fackler (4.2 IP) pitched in game one. Fackler took the win and is now 1-3 on the season. 

• Devyn Hamilton (4 IP), Madelynn Vickers (0.0 IP), Fackler (1 IP) and Emma Rodgers (5 IP) took the mound for DC in game two. Rodgers took the loss and is now 1-3 on the season. 

UP NEXT

Defiance College will return to Sal Hench Field for a WHAC doubleheader against Lawrence Tech on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

-JACKETS-