DC Softball’s Rowland Named HCAC Pitcher of the Week

GREENVILLE, Ind. – After a dominant week of performances during Defiance's Rebel Spring Games, freshman pitcher Alli Rowland has been selected as the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference pitcher of the week.

Coming on in relief in her first two appearances during the trip, Rowland was given the starting nod in the Yellow Jackets matchup with the Wheaton (Mass.) Lyons. The Westerville, Ohio, native went out and tamed the Lyons for five straight innings of shutout ball. Unfortunately, fielding miscues led to a pair of two-out unearned runs that put Wheaton ahead 2-1 going into the seventh frame. From there, the Lyons closed the door on DC and Rowland took the tough-luck loss. The hurler finished with six solid innings of three-hit ball and two unearned runs, while also striking out a pair.

However, Rowland responded in her very next appearance with a second-straight complete game. She silenced the Lakeland Muskie bats by throwing seven innings of one run ball (unearned) allowing six hits and striking out one.

The freshman pitcher finished 2-1 during the spring break trip with an outstanding 0.61 ERA spread out over five appearances and the two starts. Rowland racked up 23 innings of work, allowing 20 hits, nine runs (only two earned), while striking out seven batters and walking none. Opponents batted a dismal .200 against the right-hander.

The Purple and Gold softball team will return to their home field Wednesday, March 20 when they host the Heidelberg Student Princes in a double header. Action is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.