DC Softball sweeps St. Francis
Nick Williams, Assistant SID

DEFIANCE, Ohio -- The Defiance College Softball team swept a doubleheader against the University of St. Francis, taking both games by the scores 13-5 and 5-4.

DC opened the first game on an offensive tear, as six of the first seven batters reached base and five of the first six runners scored. The Jackets held a 5-1 lead entering the fourth inning when they put up another huge inning, scoring seven runs and sending 11 batters to the plate. However, St. Francis would not go down quietly, as the Cougars, put three runs on the board in the top of the fifth. The Jackets would answer with a run of their own when Jessica Smith scored the winning run on a fielding error by the shortstop.

Smith was a perfect 4-for-4 for the game with three runs scored. Kelsey Sugg went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored. Justine Johnston earned the win, giving up only one earned run while striking out two.

In the second game, DC did not have the offensive explosion that was seen in the first game, but the Jackets were able to bring around a run in each of the first three innings. Although the Cougars would put a run of their own on the board in the top of the fourth, DC would get it back in the bottom of the fifth. The Jackets looked to be cruising until St. Francis scored three unearned runs in the top of the sixth to tie the game at four. The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh when Kayla Crager put the game on ice with a two-out RBI single to give DC the win.

Amanda Auzins and Melanie Bushman each went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Alicia Allen started the game giving up four runs (one earned), with Johnston picking up the win in relief, pitching an inning of one-hit ball.

DC (19-11, 4-2 HCAC) hosts Franklin College Friday at 3:00 p.m.