Johnston Tabbed as HCAC Pitcher of the Week

GREENWOOD, Ind. – Justine Johnston went 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA this week, including a no-hitter, and has been named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week for the seventh time in her career.

The senior pitcher tossed the second no-hitter of her career in DC's 2-0 victory over Anderson, while also setting the DC career-strikeout mark in the series. Johnston fanned the 382nd batter of her career in the second game of the twinbill with the Ravens, moving past Sarah Harman to take the top spot on the Jackets' career strikeout list.

The Wauseon, Ohio native opened up the week with a victory of Trine, recording a win for the third-straight start. She held the Thunder to three runs, two earned, in her seven innings of work.

Johnston is 7-4 this season with a 2.12 ERA, tallying 37 strikeouts in her 69.1 innings pitched. The three-time All-HCAC performer is ranked second in the conference in wins and shutouts (two).

Defiance (12-7) will be back in action on Wednesday, April 1, when it travels to Bluffton University for a matchup of the top two squads in the HCAC. The opening game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.