April 16

DC’s Johnston named HCAC Player of the Week
Nick Williams, Assistant SID

GREENWOOD, Ind. – Justine Johnston’s performance on the mound for the Defiance College Softball team last week has been recognized by the conference as she has been named Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week as a softball pitcher.

The sophomore picked up three wins in four appearances last week, helping lead DC to a 3-0 record in conference games while ending the week in first place in the HCAC. In the team’s first HCAC game of the week, Johnston beat undefeated Anderson, giving up four runs while striking out eight to lead DC to the top of the conference.
This is Johnston's first POW of the 2007 season
On the following Sunday against Rose-Hulman, Johnston was even more impressive, holding the Engineers to only three hits and two walks en route to the complete game shutout. Johnston earned her third win of the week in relief in the second game of the doubleheader, holding Rose hitless in two innings.

This is Johnston’s second career HCAC Player of the Week selection and her first this season. Last season, she earned the honor on March 26, 2006 when she led DC to two wins with a 0.91 ERA and ten strikeouts.

Johnston is now tied for the team high in wins with six and leads the team and the conference in strikeouts with 70. She is also third in the HCAC in innings pitched (83.0) and tied for fourth in wins.

Defiance is 13-15 overall and in first place in the HCAC with a perfect 6-0 record.