DC Splits Twinbill with Rose-Hulman

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance took advantage of a pair of fielding mishaps to win the final game of its doubleheader, 3-2, with Rose-Hulman on Saturday. The Jackets' could not get anything going offensively in the opener, falling 2-0.

Reigning HCAC pitcher of the year, Jordan Goslee, baffled DC's hitters in the first game of the twinbill, as the Jackets managed just four hits in the contest. Goslee fanned 12 in the game, while forcing Defiance to strand eight runners.

The Engineers were able to capitalize on their scoring opportunities in the second and third, scoring a run in each inning on a combined three hits. Justine Johnston was tagged with the loss, despite giving up just two runs, one earned, in her seven innings of work.

Facing a possible sweep, Defiance came up with some timely hitting in the nightcap. The Jackets finally got to Gosless in the bottom of the second, pushing a pair of runs across to grab an early two-run advantage.

Aarika Davis was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from Melanie Bushman. Amanda Auzins would drive in Defiance's first run of the day with a two-out single up the middle, while crossing the plate on Stephanie Lieto's triple to left field.

DC starter Kelly Schnipke was able to work her way out of jams in the fourth and fifth innings to help keep the Jackets out in front. However, Rose-Hulman broke through in the sixth, as Brittany Bernthold knotted the game, 2-2, with a two-run single down the left field line.

Defiance regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on the Engineers' fielding errors. Auzins started the rally in the sixth, reaching on an error by the third baseman. Lieto singled down the right field line, while moving to second on the throw as Auzins advanced to third. A second error by the third baseman on a ball hit by Allison Ramsay would allow Auzins to score what turned out to be the winning run.

Brittany Gow pitched a scoreless seventh to close out the victory, escaping trouble to record her second save of the season. Schnipke earned the win for the Jackets, moving to 6-3 on the year with her second-straight victory.

Lieto and Mallory Faling topped DC with two hits apiece on the afternoon, as Defiance tallied just ten base knocks on the day.

Defiance (14-9) will be back in action on Tuesday, February 7, when it travels to Manchester College for a HCAC doubleheader. The first pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.