DC still alive in the HCAC Tournament
Nick Williams, Assistant SID

#1 Defiance vs #4 Bluffton: Game Statistics
#1 Defiance vs #2 Anderson: Game Statistics

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College Softball team still has its dream of an HCAC Championship alive after splitting its first two games of the tournament. DC defeated No. 4-seeded Bluffton University 3-0 in the opener, then fell 15-4 to No. 2-seeded Anderson University.

Defiance stormed to the early 3-0 lead in the opening game, plating a trio of runs in the bottom of the second inning. Krystle Skaziak and Aarika Davis each knocked in a a Jacket runner in the inning. Justine Johnston did the rest in the circle, going seven strong innings and holding the Beavers to only one run. Johnston fanned all three batters in the seventh to cap the victory.

A lackluster defensive performance by DC in the second game of the day hurt the Jackets’ chance for a win. The team committed four errors in the game which led to seven unearned runs. Tied at three going into the fifth inning, the game began to slip away from DC when the Ravens scored four runs in the frame. DC had a chance in the bottom half of the inning to make some noise, but a two-out strikeout stranded the bases full of Jackets to end the rally. Anderson scored eight more runs in the next two innings to put the game out of reach.

Johnston was tagged with the loss, after giving up seven runs in relief of starter Robin Diers, who charged with three runs in three innings of work. Julie Miller came on in the sixth and gave up five runs (one earned) in two innings.

Kelsey Sugg went 2-for-4 including her ninth career home run, which ties her with Shawn Mitchell for the all-time record at DC.

Renee Steffen and Amanda Auzins each put together two hits and an RBI.

Defiance (23-18, 13-2) will play Transylvania University for a chance to exact revenge on Anderson in the championship game. DC will play at 11:00 a.m., with the championship game scheduled for 1:00 p.m.