Jackets Sweep Anderson, Take lead in HCAC
Nick Williams, Assistant SID

Defiance vs Anderson: Game 1 / Game 2

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College Softball team made an early statement on Friday by sweeping a match of the only two remaining unbeaten teams in the Heartland Conference with 8-4 and 9-0 wins over Anderson University.

In the first game, DC had a huge rally in the third, pushing across five runs across to take a sizeable advantage. The big blow came off of the bat of Stephanie Lieto, who knocked in all three runners with the bases loaded for a three-RBI double. Anderson mounted a slight comeback, bringing in two runs in the top half of the fourth and a run in each of the next two innings.

Amanda Auzins came through with two hits and two RBIs. Lieto’s lone hit of the game was the three-run double that broke the game open. Justine Johnston snapped a two-game skid to win her fourth game of the year, giving up four runs in the game.

In the second game, Robin Diers allowed just two Ravens to reach base safely as the Jackets cruised to the 9-0 victory after five innings. The Jacket offense rallied for eight runs in the first three innings, highlighted by a two-RBI double by Renee Steffen in the second.

Kelsey Sugg added two hits and an RBI while Lieto chipped in with a hit and another run batted in.

Defiance (11-15, 4-0 HCAC) has now taken the lead in the conference and will look to keep its perch atop the HCAC when it hosts Rose-Hulman on Sunday at 2:00 pm.