DEFIANCE, Ohio - At Sal Hench Field, the homestanding Yellow Jackets utilized a 0.491 batting average en route to a two-game sweep of the Adrian softball team.
 
Game 1: Adrian 2, Defiance 10 (5 Innings)

For the second time in as many games, a quick start by the opposition was too much for the Bulldogs to overcome. In this instance, Defiance raced out to an early 5-0 lead after two innings, leaving Adrian to try and solve 'Jackets' starter Taylor Biggs, who had retired four of the first six outs on strikes.

In the third inning, the offensive gears began to grind for the visitors. After a lead-off line-out, Hailey DeChalk stepped into the box and laid down a single to the left side. The junior was then advanced to third base following a single by Lauren McCulligh and a walk issued to Katie Connolly.

With the bases juiced, Ava Ferrarelli checked in at the plate and delivered an infield ripper, plating DeChalk and pinch-runner Meghan Lupu to cut the home side's lead down to 5-2.

Despite keeping Defiance off the board in subsequent half-inning, the same could not be send for the ultimate final two innings, in which the Yellow Jackets doubled their run total to force the run-rule.

DeChalk, McCulligh and Ferrarelli each produced two hits for the Bulldogs, while Natalie Mathers struck out four batters in three complete innings of work.
 
Game 2: Adrian 3, Defiance 9 (6 Innings - Darkness)

In the second installment of Thursday doubleheader, it was Adrian getting off to a fast start.

Genna Marasco led things off for the black and gold in the top half of the first inning with a single up the middle. Maggie Leveille followed up with a base-hit of her own, sending a single to right field to set up DeChalk.

The Bulldogs' infielder dropped some contact straight back to pitcher, who turned quickly to her right and fired an arrant throw away from the third baseman, allowing Marasco to trot home for the game's first run.

Defiance was able to get some control of the situation with a strikeout on the next at-bat, but the 'Dogs continued to press, drawing another miscue off the bat of Connolly to score Leveille.

The scoring eventually subsided, but not before an RBI-single by Ferrarelli brought home DeChalk to give Adrian a 3-0 advantage.

The 'Jackets were swift with their response, however, needing only two frames to flip the lead in their favor, 5-3.

From there, the home team kept Adrian from adding any more runs, and even added four more for themselves before the game was called due to darkness.

Leveille closed game two with a team-high two hits, and five other Bulldogs contributed one hit each.
 
Next up for Adrian is its 2022 conference opener against Albion College on Saturday afternoon. The team will also be recognizing its senior class as the conclusion of the weekend doubleheader, which is slated to being at 2 p.m. at the Adrian College Softball Field.