Defiance Captures Second Straight HCAC Softball Tournament Title

LEXINGTON, KY - The Defiance College softball team captured the 2009 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second straight season. The Jackets defeated host Transylvania 6-0 in the championship game held in Lexington .

The Yellow Jackets completed the tournament with a 3-0 record behind three victories from pitcher Justine Johnston (Wauseon, Ohio /H.S.) .  In the final contest, Johnston tossed a complete game and scattered four hits with no walks and two strikeouts to move to 17-9 on the season.

Defiance jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Senior second baseman Kayla Crager (Marion, Ohio/Elgin) blasted a two run home run in the top half of the second inning, giving the Jackets a 2-0 lead. Defiance shortstop Tasha Stucke (Coldwater, Ohio /H.S.) was key in the victory, batting 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI.

For Transylvania, Jessica Broadhead (Boonville, Ind. /H.S.) and Jessica Pierce (La Grange, Ky./Oldham Co.) each went 2-for-3 at the plate providing all four of the Pioneer hits on the afternoon.

Defiance improved to 28-14 on the season and advances to the NCAA Division III Tournament with the victory.  Transylvania completed the season with a mark of 27-12 and won the HCAC regular season title.