ADRIAN Mich. – The Adrian College softball team completed its third consecutive sweep after defeating Defiance College 2-1 Monday in game one and 4-3 after a come from behind effort in game two. In game one, pitcher Abbi Patton recorded her sixth win of the season, while the Adrian College softball team had five individual players record a hit, including catcher Maggie Leveille, who posted a game high two hits. In the final game of Monday's doubleheader, Macee Schang secured her eighth win of the season and tied her career high of 11 strikeouts. On the offensive end five Bulldogs recorded one hit.
GAME ONE
The Bulldogs scored all two runs of game one in the bottom of the third inning. Facing two outs and nobody on, Meghan Lupu got things started after singling to center field. Following Lupu, third baseman Paige Stein doubled to right field and drove in Lupu to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, senior Hailey DeChalk reached first on an error by the Defiance shortstop. During the play, Stein scored and the Bulldogs doubled their lead to 2-0.
In the top of the seventh inning, Defiance would threaten to tie the as they cut Adrian's lead to one. Defiance would reach base on a defensive error and two singles, resulting in one run. With two on and two out, Patton was able to strike out her last batter and the Bulldogs took game one of the doubleheader 2-1.
GAME TWO
Throughout the majority of Monday's second game, both Adrian College and Defiance struggled to score a single run. Deadlocked in the bottom of the sixth at zero all, Flesia Borck began the inning with a walk and was followed by Karson Bagelmann, who reached on a fielder's choice. Later in the inning, Flesia Borck advanced to second on a defensive error and both Bagelmann and Borck advanced on a passed ball during the next at bat. Putting the pressure on, DeChalk walked to load the bases with two outs. Despite the bases loaded threat, the Bulldogs were unable to score.
The Bulldogs continued to battle down the stretch. In the top of the seventh, Bagelmann helped prevent Defiance from scoring by recording a double play. Bagelmann would make a miraculous diving stop to cause the double play, preventing Defiance from scoring in the process. In the bottom half of the inning Lupu would single, however the Bulldogs were unable to score.
After Defiance scored one run in the top of the eighth, in the bottom half of the inning, the Bulldogs responded. With one on and two out, Lupu singled to center field and drove in Genna Marasco to tie the game at one all. During the top of the ninth, Defiance countered and acquired a 3-1 lead after taking advantage of a two run home run. Despite facing a two run deficit, the Bulldogs rallied in the bottom of the ninth. With Stein placed on second base, DeChalk tripled to right field. During the next Bulldog at bat, Payton Russell singled to center field, scoring Leveille and advancing Marasco to second and Ava Ferrarelli to third. With Bagelmann up to bat, she would single, advancing the base runners and scoring Ferrarelli, the game winning run in the process.
Historical Notes
First year Head Coach Kaylee Fox and Assistant Coach Hannah Kampmann have led the Adrian College softball team to its first seven game win streak in almost exactly one decade. The Adrian College softball team previously won seven straight during a nine game winning streak from April 20, 2013-April 27, 2013. After this evening's sweep, since March 29, 2007, the Bulldogs have won 21 out of their past 30 games against Defiance.
Up Next
The Adrian College softball team will return to AC Softball Field to host Siena Heights University on Thursday, April 6, in a doubleheader starting at 4:00 PM. Live Stats and live stream information is available under the Adrian College softball schedule.
