DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Panthers (15-19 overall, 7-5 HCAC) battled to a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference split on Sunday afternoon, winning game one 7-6 before falling in game two 4-3.
GAME ONE
Hanover surged ahead early in game one of this two game series using a three run third inning for the 3-0 advantage. Freshman
Sydnie Raisor (Campbellsburg, Ky.) picked up the first RBI of the afternoon as she singled through the right side scoring senior
Kendra Hutchison (Lafayette, Ind.). Sophomore
Dani Steward (Shelbyville, Ind.) handled the rest as she doubled down the left field line plating two more Panther runs.
However, the Yellow Jackets swarmed adding two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the difference to 3-2.
The top of the sixth inning saw Hanover add a series of insurance runs with freshman
Cadence Northern (Jeffersonville, Ind.) leading the charge. The freshman doubled to left field before sophomore
Alex Miller (Miamisburg, Ohio) doubled pushing HC on top 6-2.
Defiance refused to be denied using a grand slam to left center in the bottom half of the inning that knotted the score 6-6.
But Hanover remained poise as Northern deemed clutch with an RBI to center field that scored what would become the game winning run.
In the circle,
Lauren Beaman claimed the win throwing seven complete innings with five strikeouts.
GAME TWO
The Panthers pounced in the top of the first inning as Steward picked up the RBI with a hit by pitch that scored Hutchison. The excitement continued later in the inning when sophomore
Mallorie Fultz (Greenfield, Ind.) hit a shot to first base that scored senior
Kensie Bradley (Greenfield, Ind.), 2-0.
The final Hanover run came in the top of the fourth inning as Hutchison singled to right center pushing the HC difference to 3-0.
However, Defiance battled back adding a run in the fourth inning before plating the game winning runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Senior
Courtney Chookie (Warsaw, Ind.) got the start in the circle pitching five and a third innings with four strikeouts.
Hanover returns to action on Tuesday, April 15 when they travel to nationally ranked Transylvania. First pitch is slated for 1:00 PM.