DC Opens Rebel Spring Games with a Pair of Decisive Wins

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Yellow Jackets' offense woke up on Sunday, as DC began competition at the annual Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla. Defiance beat Emmanuel College, 12-4, in game one, before recording a 5-1 victory over Alverno College in its second contest.

The last time Defiance went undefeated during its first day of competition in Florida was during the 2005 season.

The Jackets wasted no time establishing an edge over Emmanuel, as they posted three runs in the first frame to give starting pitcher, Kelly Schnipke, a cushion to work with. Schnipke worked through four innings, giving up six hits and two strikeouts, before Shauna Bowers finished the job with a pair of scoreless innings.

Tasha Stucke and Kaycee Butt both went three-of-four at the plate, while Katelyn Samples recorded a double and a triple in her two at bats of the contest.

Defiance got out to a quick start in the second game as well, as Stucke drew a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Butt before Marah Robinson ripped an RBI single down the left field line. Macy Ferrall brought Robinson home with an RBI single to right field, giving DC a 2-0 lead.

That was all the run support needed for freshman pitcher, Kailea Holbrook, who pitched a complete game, allowing just one run in her first collegiate pitching victory.

Elizabeth Huffman led off with a walk in the fifth inning, and Butt drove her in for the first of three runs in the frame. Robinson picked up her second and third RBI of the game with a two-run single up the middle, giving DC its 5-1 lead, which would persist through the end of regulation.

Defiance (2-2) will look to move above .500 when it plays Muskingum (0-2) tomorrow at 3:00 p.m., before facing Wittenberg (2-2) at 5:00 p.m.