DC earns first win in Florida over Waldorf, are 1-5 in Space Coast Spring Games after day three

MELBOURNE, Fla. - Defiance College headed south for a six-day, nine-game business trip as a participant in the 2025 Space Coast Spring Games in Melbourne, Florida. Through six games, the Yellow Jackets boast a 1-5 record, earning their first win of the games against Waldorf on Monday at the USSSA Space Coast Complex. 

DC (3-11) kicked off its spring-break slate with a close 2-1 decision in favor of the Florida National Conquistadors on Sunday. Ali Mowen, Anika Craft, Madison Guggenbiller and Emma Linn each had hits for the Jackets, Craft crossing home plate in the first inning to give them a 1-0 lead. The conquistadors batted in runs in the second and third innings to earn the win. 

Sunday's stretch continued with Midland – the Warriors winning 5-3 off a four-run third inning. Defiance had a strong first inning at bat with runs from Mowen and Craft, as well as RBI's from Morgan Scott and Kaylee Heath. Midland remained scoreless in the first, but put one on the scoreboard at the top of the second. After a scoreless fourth inning from either lineup, the Jackets answered in the fifth with another from Mowen – the leadoff hitter – courtesy of an RBI from Scott. Defiance finished the game with seven hits and three RBIs. On the mound, Emma Rodgers took the loss with one walk and five hits. 

The Yellow Jackets split the day Monday with a 3-1 win over Waldorf and a 6-2 loss to Keiser. 

On 32 at bats, Defiance recorded nine hits and three RBIs to earn its first victory of the trip. Mowen and Craft scored in the first, followed by a second Craft score in the final inning as the Warriors started and completed their runs in the bottom of the first. Craft earned her second win of the season with seven strikeouts. Later in the day, the Seahawks scored in five of seven innings with consistent batting to overtake runs from Defiance's Linn and Kaylee Heath in the bottom of the second. Four pitchers faced batters in the contest – Madelynn Vickers taking the loss. 

Florida Memorial and Fort Lauderdale each claimed wins against the Yellow Jackets on Tuesday, 7-2 and 1-0, respectively. DC scored first against the Lions though they tied it in the second, which was followed by three runs in the third for Florida Memorial. Each team earned runs in the second and the Lions outscored the Jackets 2-0 in the final inning for the win. Scott earned her fifth RBI of the week, and Mowen and Craft each were run scorers. 

Tuesday's second contest versus the Eagles remained scoreless through the third until an RBI sent home their pitcher at the bottom of the fourth to earn a run. Craft faced 25 batters, striking out eight and allowing five hits. 

The Jackets have three games remaining on their Space Coast schedule and return to action Thursday.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Anika Craft and Ali Mowen have combined for nine of the Yellow Jackets runs on the week. 

• Morgan Scott has five total RBIs through the first six games. Kaylee Heath, Anna Emswiler, Sydney Fackler and Madison Guggenbiller each have one. 

• Emma Linn, Scott and Emswiler have been aggressive in the box with doubles from each. Mowen earned the sole triple of the first six games against Florida Memorial.

• Defiance has played six pitchers, including Craft who is 1-2 on the week. 

• The Jackets outhit the Lions on Tuesday 11-10.

• DC pitchers have combined for 27 strikeouts; Craft leads the pack with 18 of those. 

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets have a one-day break Wednesday before a doubleheader against Fitchburg State and Florida National on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.

-JACKETS-