April 21

Johnston's Two-Hitter Helps DC Take Opener
Defiance vs. Bluffton Game one / Game two

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Justine Johnston’s two-hit shutout helped Defiance claim the opener of its doubleheader with Bluffton University, 4-0, on Monday, April 21. However, DC’s bats were unable to produce in the nightcap as the Jackets fell, 6-0. Defiance moves to 8-4 in the HCAC, falling a game back of a first-place tie between Bluffton and Rose-Hulman.

Johnston got help from the DC offense in the opener, as it scored all four of its runs in a three-inning stretch. Marah Robinson drove in the game’s first run in the third, scoring Amanda Auzins on a single up the middle. The Jackets added two more in the fourth as Allison Ramsay and Amanda Auzins each drove in runs for DC. Kayla Crager’s single down the right field line scored Nicole Diers in the fifth to round out the scoring for Defiance.
Johnston has won nine of her last 11 starts.
That proved to be more than enough for Johnston, who limited the Beavers to just three baserunners in her seven innings on the mound. The junior struck out three on her way ninth win her last 11 outings. The shutout pushed her scoreless innings streak to 12 innings, while lowering her ERA to 0.63 in HCAC play.

The Jackets finished with nine hits in the game, led by Crager and Laurel Palk who each recorded two in the game. Defiance was perfect in the field in the opener, led by Aarika Davis’ six assists.

Bluffton pitcher Kelly Kenney returned the favor in the nightcap, throwing a two-hit shutout of her own. Kelly Schnipke took the loss for DC, giving up four runs in 2 1/3 innings. Robin Diers closed out her career at Sal Hench Field with two scoreless innings for Defiance. Palk and Robinson were the lone Jackets to record hits in the game, while shortstop Stephanie Lieto had another great game in the field with six putouts and four assists in the nightcap.

Defiance (17-14) will be in action on Friday, April 25 at Transylvania University with HCAC title aspirations on the line. The opening game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.