By: Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Bluffton University softball team dropped a pair of games at rival Defiance College on Saturday, April 8, 2023. Bluffton fell to 11-15 overall and 0-4 in the Heartland Conference, while the Yellow Jackets improved to 11-13 with a spotless 4-0 mark in conference play.

The first game went just five innings with the Beavers falling 12-1 after Defiance pasted seven runs on the scoreboard in inning number one. Freshman Julia Tegeder (Hamilton) raked in the only RBI for her squad in the third inning after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Kryshel Dales (Defiance/Ayersville) and Mia McCartney (North Baltimore) both smacked two hits in the lidlifter.

Erin Norman (Pleasant Hill/Newton) fell to 6-7 after allowing seven runs with two walks in just one inning of work. Grace Fillinger (Hinckley/Highland) tossed the final three innings, allowing five runs on five hits.

Game two ended in another mercy-rule loss, a 10-2 setback that saw DC roll off nine runs in the home fifth. Both runs for Bluffton also came in the fifth and final inning.

McCartney ripped a double with a powerful shot to left center field. She crossed the dish when Dales cracked a base knock up the middle. Dales used her speed to score off a perfectly placed single from Bobbi Adams (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) through the left side. Those tallies put the Beavers up 2-1 going into the home fifth, but Defiance used a massive rally, including a home run, to score nine runs and take the 10-2 win.

Dales and Adams drove in runs for the Beavers. Norman pitched 4.1 innings, taking the loss (6-8). She allowed nine runs while striking out four batters.

Bluffton continues with more conference action on Saturday, April 15, when the Beavers welcome Franklin for a double feature. The first game is slated for 1 p.m.

-BEAVERS-