Jacket Softball advances in HCAC

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—The Defiance College Softball team defeated Franklin College, 7-3, in first-round action of the Heartland Conference Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Alicia Allen pitched all seven innings, giving up just two earned runs on 10 hits, while walking none. The Jackets exploded for three runs in the bottom of the second inning when Kalette Peters was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Kacy VanderHorst later singled to score Peters and Jessica Smith.

DC added four runs in the fourth inning when Peters doubled to left fielder to score Smith and Laurel Palk. Kacy VanderHorst drove in another run when she singled to centerfield to score Peters. Kelsey Sugg also drove in a run when grounded out to short stop, scoring Renee Steffen.

Steffen and Kacy VanderHorst each went 2-for-3, while Peters had the only other Jacket hit on her fourth-inning double.

The Jackets will play Mount St. Joseph at 3:30 p.m. (CST) in the second round.