DC Softball remains perfect in conference play
Nick Williams, Assistant SID

Defiance vs Mount St. Joe: Game 1 / Game 2

DEFIANCE, Ohio – A doubleheader sweep against the College of Mount St. Joseph improves the Defiance College Softball team’s record to 8-0 in the HCAC, as the Jackets beat MSJ by the scores 3-1 and 5-0.

DC scored its first run in the second, as Allison Ramsay took advantage of an error by the second baseman to cross the plate. The Jackets would then add two more runs in the fourth off of the bats of Stephanie Lieto and Krystle Skaziak. Lieto brought in Amanda Auzins with a sacrifice fly and Skaziak singled through the right side, scoring Whitney Risner.

Johnston earned the win, shutting down the Lion offense, holding them to four hits and three walks. Laurel Palk had two hits in the game, while Skaziak, Auzins, Kelsey Sugg, and Melanie Bushman each added a hit.

In the second game, Bushman put DC on the board in the first with an RBI double to right center, scoring Skaziak. The Jackets jumpstarted the offense in the fourth, when DC put up three runs in the inning. Renee Steffen capped off the rally with a clutch two-out two RBI single to right center. DC kept the momentum going in the following inning when Auzins scored on a double to right field by Lieto.

Those runs proved to be all Robin Diers needed as she kept the Lions at bay, allowing only three hits and one walk in five innings of play. Johnston came in the sixth and pitched two solid innings of relief, allowing three hits and a walk as well.

Steffen had a solid 2-for-3 performance with three RBIs, while Skaziak and Palk each had two-hit games. Skaziak also scored twice in the contest.

Defiance (17-15, 8-0 HCAC) will finish off its six-game homestand with the last home game of the year Tuesday against Transylvania University at 1:00 p.m.