Eighth-Inning Fireworks Help Jackets Split Doubleheader

ORLANDO, Fla. – Defiance exploded for four runs in extra innings to take down Thomas More, 7-3, before dropping a 5-0 decision to Benedictine University. DC moves to 6-2 on the season, while seeing its four-game winning streak come to a close in the nightcap.

Trailing 1-0 after three innings in the opening game against Thomas More, the Jackets tied the game in the top of the fourth, as Mallory Faling scored off Melanie Bushman's sacrifice fly. DC would add two more runs in the fifth, behind the bat of Tasha Stucke. The sophomore shortstop followed singles by Stephanie Lieto and Amanada Auzins with a two-run double to give Defiance a 3-1 advantage.

Thomas More scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra innings, where the Jackets' offense came to life. Stucke, who was placed on second due to the international tie-breaker, scored what turned out to be the winning run on a single by Bushman.

Stucke's run put a dent in the Saints' defense, as a string of errors allowed Defiance to push across a trio of insurance runs. Pinch runners Katelyn Samples, Caitlin Rudden and Allison Ramsay would all score off Thomas More mishaps, helping DC coast to a 7-3 victory.

Justine Johnston earned the win, giving up three runs in eight innings of work. The Wauseon, Ohio native held Thomas More to just four hits with two strikeouts, while pushing her record to 3-1.

Defiance finished the contest with eight hits, as five of those hits came in DC's run-scoring innings. Stucke led the way with a pair of hits, while six others also collected a hit in the game.

DC struggled to get anything going in its second game of the doubleheader against Benedictine, tallying just two hits in the contest. Defiance was shutout for the first time this season, as Bushman and Katie Bowman were the lone Jackets to record hits in the game. DC came into the contest averaging just under six runs per ballgame.

Kelly Schnipke was tagged with the loss, after giving up all five runs, three earned, in her seven innings in the circle. The loss was Schnipke's first of the season, as the sophomore drops to 3-1 on the year.

Defiance will wrap up its play at the Rebel Spring Games tomorrow, March 12, when it faces at Marian and Wittenberg. The opening game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.