Jackets Split With Denison in Final Non-Conference Match

GRANVILLE, Ohio – The Yellow Jackets rode Shauna Bowers' complete-game shutout to a 2-0 victory in game one, before dropping a 9-8 extra-inning decision in the nightcap at Denison University (14-4) on Tuesday. Defiance (10-14; 2-0 HCAC) will play the remainder of its regular season schedule against HCAC foes.

Bowers allowed just four hits, one walk and no multi-hit innings as she held the Big Red scoreless for the first time this season while matching her career-high with nine strikeouts. She didn't just hold the Big Red scoreless, she held the squad out of scoring position. Denison had one runner reach base safely in six-of-seven innings, but not one advanced past first base.

Defiance, on the other hand, scored its first batter of the game. Aubrie Ridinger led off the game with a walk, and used a pair of sacrifice outs from Mallory Faling and Tasha Stucke to advance to third before being driven home with an infield hit from Marah Robinson.

DC's 1-0 advantage remained intact until the seventh inning, when Ridinger sent an RBI-single to left field to bring in Elizabeth Huffman and give the Jackets some breathing room. Bowers recorded three straight outs to end the game and secure the first complete-game shutout of her career.

After a pitching duel in game one, the two squads erupted for a combined 17 runs on 29 hits in game two. Defiance got the ball rolling with a four-run first inning, in which Katie Miller came to bat with the bases loaded and delivered with a three-run double to right field. Miller was driven home with a shot to center field from Macy Ferrall, and with a 4-0 lead, Defiance had equaled its run total from its four previous games in one inning.

The Big Red picked up two runs in the bottom of the inning, and added another in the third to trim DC's lead to one. After three scoreless innings, the Yellow Jackets got back on the board with one run in the top of the fifth, but Denison responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 6-5 lead.

After a scoreless sixth inning, the Jackets took an 8-6 advantage in the top of the seventh on Macy Ferrall's first-career home run. The freshman infielder sent a three-run shot over the center field wall, giving the Jackets a two-run cushion with half of an inning left in regulation.

Denison was up for the challenge, picking up four-straight hits to begin the seventh before ending the frame with two runs to force an extra inning. Defiance failed to score in the top of the extra frame, and Denison capitalized with a run in the bottom of the inning to salvage a split of the doubleheader.

The Yellow Jackets will return to the field on Saturday, April 9, when they host an HCAC doubleheader with Anderson University (11-9; 3-1 HCAC). Game one of the doubleheader is set for 1:00 p.m.