DC Softball Dominates in First Games of 2013 Campaign

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Lady Jacket softball team started off the season on the right foot with a pair of run-rule victories in their first day of the competition at the Rebel Spring Games on Sunday, March 10. In DC's first matchup, it defeated the (1-4) Roger Williams Hawks 9-1 and then took down the (0-1) Fitchburg State Falcons 12-2 in the second.

The Purple and Gold received top-notch performances from both the offense and pitching staff in the five inning Roger Williams victory. On the mound, freshman Katie Patchin kept the Hawks grounded with five solid inning surrendering seven hits, zero walks and one earned run, while striking out four. Patchin also chipped in with one hit and an RBI at the plate.

For the offense, every single Jacket in the lineup recorded a base hit, as the team racked up 16 in total. The first four batters in the lineup of senior Katie Miller and juniors Macy Ferrall, Maggie Neanen and Kailea Holbrook did most of the damage by combining to go 9-of-12 at the dish.

Ferrall started off the game in dramatic fashion, as the St. Marys, Ohio, native swatted a home run in the team's first at bat of the season. She finished with one RBI and a pair of runs scored. Following her in the lineup was Maggie Neanen, who was a perfect 3-for-3 and crossed home once. Batting third was Katie Miller. The Archbold High product drove in three runs with one run scored, while going 2-for-3. Finally in the cleanup spot of the order was Kailea Holbrook, who batted 2-for-2 with a walk and one run batted in.

Defiance's strong play then continued into the second game of the afternoon, as it defeated the Fitchburg State Falcons in five innings. The batting order stayed red hot and notched 12 runs on 12 hits in the win. The offensive outburst was paced by Miller, Neanen and sophomore Brittany Shough.

Miller opened the game up in the second inning with a grand slam and finished 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and five RBI. Shough however, led the team with hits in the game. The DeGraff, Ohio, native was 3-for-4 at the plate, while crossing home once. Lastly, Neanen added two hits in four at bats and scored twice.

Getting the nod on the mound for the Purple and Gold was Kailea Holbrook. The Defiance High product chalked up three strong innings giving up only one hit and no earned run.s She also walked one batter and struck out another. Coming in for relief was sophomore Lauren Dicke. The second-year player pitched two innings, surrendering two hits.

The two victories for DC give the team its first 2-0 start to the season since the 2009-10 campaign. The squad will be back in action with a pair of games tomorrow Monday, March 11. The first matchup will be an 11 a.m. contest against the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets. The Lady Jackets will then faceoff with the Bridgewater Eagles at 3 p.m.