DC Advances with Victory over Lebanon Valley

ITHACA, N.Y. –Defiance defeated Lebanon Valley, 2-1, on Friday, May 9 to earn its second NCAA Tournament victory in school history. The Jackets have now won five of their six, while giving head coach Jodie Holava her 75th career victory.

DC scored both of its runs in the fifth inning, which would be all it would need. Amanda Auzins hit a two-out double to get things going for Defiance, before moving to third on a single by Laurel Palk. Tasha Stucke drew a walk to load the bases for Marah Robinson, who singled to score both Auzins and Palk and give DC a 2-0 advantage.

Lebanon Valley scored a run in the seventh to make it a one-run game and were threatening to plate the tying the run with runners on first and second with two outs. Justine Johnston (17-7) was able to escape trouble, striking out the next batter to earn her fifth victory in

her last six starts. The junior scattered five hits over her seven innings of work, allowing one run and striking out five batters.

Palk was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate for the Defiance, raising her batting average to .339 on the season. Robinson continued her hot hitting, going 1-for-2 and driving in both runs. The freshman outfielder is hitting .625 with one homerun and three RBI in her last five games. Auzins legged out her 20th double of her career to give DC its only other hit of the ballgame.

Defiance (23-17) will play again on Saturday, May 10 at 12:00 p.m. in a matchup that will be named later.