Spartans Silence Yellow Jackets Bats in Doubleheader

MANCHESTER, Ind. –The DC softball team traveled to Manchester College for a pivotal Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference showdown. The Yellow Jackets lost both games of the series. Defiance lost game one by a score of 5-1 and game two by a final of 5-0.

In game one of the doubleheader, the Yellow Jackets got off to a slow start and never were able to recover. The Spartans grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first due to two hits and two Defiance errors. After holding the Jackets scoreless in the top of the second, Manchester struck for two more runs in the bottom of the frame, building its lead to 3-0.

Spartans' starting pitcher, Mauree Lund stymied the Purple and Gold hitters all game, as she only gave up three hits and one run in a complete game. Lund also recorded 11 strikeouts.

Despite Lund's success in the circle, the Jackets still had opportunities. DC scored a run in the fifth off an RBI single from senior Katelyn Samples to cut the lead to 3-1. However, the Yellow Jackets left the bases loaded and the threat was over.

After Manchester tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to increase its lead to 5-1, Defiance once again was threatening to close the gap with the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth. The Yellow Jackets proceeded to hit into two fielder's choices and struck out to end the potential rally and lose 5-1.

To begin game two, both teams were held scoreless through the first two and a half innings and only two hits were recorded. In the bottom of the third, Manchester opened up the scoring, as it plated one run on three hits to go up 1-0. The Spartans added to their lead in the fourth by recording two hits, a walk and a DC error, all of which led to two runs and a 3-0 lead. Manchester tacked on two more runs in the final innings en route to a 5-0 win.

Manchester's game two starting pitcher, Ashlea Nash was dominant in the game, as she tossed a complete game shutout allowing only three hits and two walks over seven innings.

The losses drop Defiance's HCAC record to 6-8 with two games remaining. The Jackets are back in action on Saturday, April 21, as DC hosts Adrian in a non-conference showdown. The first game is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.