Defiance’s conference opener goes to Siena Heights

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College Yellow Jackets dropped their conference opener against the Siena Heights Saints at Defiance High School on Saturday. The Saints' hefty sixth inning propelled them over the Yellow Jackets 14-7. 

At the bottom of the first inning, Defiance's (7-16, 0-1 WHAC) first at-bat earned it a quick start as a single to the pitcher put Ali Mowen on first base. After two-consecutive outs, Morgan Scott knocked a homer over the center-field fence to notch an RBI and put her own on the board. The Jackets led by two through the Saints' (11-8, 1-2 WHAC) next two chances to hit. 

Haley Hughes led off the hitting for DC at the bottom of the third and reached first on an error by the shortstop. A walk put Mowen on base for the second time of the game. With Anika Craft up to bat, she sacrificed bunted to advance the runners, which ultimately led to two RBIs for the next batter up, Kaylee Heath, as she hit a true double to the fence. Later in the inning, Emma Linn singled to center field to bring in Heath and rack up an RBI. 

Siena Heights returned the fire on its fourth turn at-bat when Lauren Dioszegi homered over the head of center fielder Avery Roever with runners on first and second, drilling three RBIs equating three runs on the board. Defiance went three up, three down at the bottom of the inning, as the game turned to the fifth with the Jackets on top 5-3. 

The top of the sixth inning became a high-scoring affair for the Saints. Starting pitcher Anika Craft began by striking out the first batter, which then progressed to bases loaded as the next three hitters singled (2) or were walked (1). A base hit by Siena Height' next batter advanced the runners, putting a run on the board. After another walk turned into another RBI for a Saint, Craft took center field and was replaced by Emma Rodgers on the mound. Rodgers entered the game with bases still loaded and walked three batters, consecutively, adding three runs for the visitors. Two singles followed and brought home three batters. The Saints finished the inning with nine runs and a seven-run advantage. 

The Yellow Jackets went three up, three down at the bottom of the sixth. Siena Heights went up by two more runs at the top of the seventh, and with one chance left at-bat, Craft and Scott earned RBIs for their base hits, however, Defiance's rally was cut short with a groundout to third base. 

Game two, which was scheduled to follow game one, will be postponed and played on a new date in Defiance due to weather conditions. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Ali Mowen capitalized on each of her four at-bats with two base hits, two walks and three runs. She now leads the team with 21 runs on the season. 

• Morgan Scott, who leads the team in RBIs, added three more on Saturday night. She now has batted in 22. She scored her second home run of the season. 

• Scott (3), Anika Craft, Kaylee Heath (2) and Emma Linn are each credited with RBIs.

• Scott earned a spot on base in each of her three at-bats. 

• Craft (5.1) and Emma Rodgers (1.2) pitched on the day. Craft took the loss and is now 4-6 on the season. 

UP NEXT

Defiance will travel to Lourdes' Gray Wolf Field on Sunday for a WHAC doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

-JACKETS-