Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | 11-Game Season Stats
TIFFIN, Ohio—The Heidelberg University softball team swept Defiance College in a non-conference doubleheader today in its home opener at Hedges Boyer Park in Tiffin, Ohio. The Berg won the first game, 7-1, and took the second game, 6-4. The pair of wins were the fifth and sixth victories in the last seven games.
In the first game, Defiance (3-10) plated a single run in the top of the first inning, but Heidelberg erased the deficit in the third by rallying for five runs. The Berg loaded the bases for sophomore center fielder Jami Wagner (Alvada/New Riegel), who singled in a run, and senior first baseman Bessie Artino (Bellevue) doubled in two more. Senior right handed pitcher Lexie Pinkelman (Metamora/Evergreen) plated two more tallies by reaching on an error.
Pinkelman also doubled in a run in the fifth and the Tri-Color added an insurance run in the sixth.
Wagner was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and Artino was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run.
Pinkelman scattered three hits and retired 24 of 25 batters she faced, while recording a season-high nine strikeouts to improve to 3-0.
Lauren Dicke pitched 5.1 innings for Defiance, surrendering all seven runs (five erarned) on eight hits.
In the nightcap, a two-out double by Pinkelman paced a two-run inning. Heidelberg added another run in the second on a double by sophomore second baseman Erica Huffman (Strongsville), two more in the third, and one more in the fourth on a RBI double by Artino.
Freshman right handed pitcher Christine Foster (Luckey/Eastwood) started and allowed two runs (none earned) on six hits over three innings. Junior righty Ali Sayre (Sylvania/Northview) came on in relief, allowed just four hits over four innings and earned the win to improve to 3-2.
Elizabeth Huffman led the Yellow Jackets at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a RBI. Kailea Holbrook pitched four innings for Defiance, allowing all six runs (three earned) on eight hits and suffered the loss.
Heidelberg returns to the diamond Saturday, March 24 for its Ohio Athletic Conference opener at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio.