BOX SCORE

PHOTO MONTAGE

TERRE HAUTE, IND. -- Defiance College scored one run in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and advance to the championship round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

The two teams battled through six scoreless innings and each team tallied one run in the seventh frame to send the game into extra innings.  In the top of the eighth, Rose-Hulman loaded the bases before Justine Johnston forced Engineer Katie Maggard to ground out to end the threat.

In the bottom of the eighth, Maggard was forced into the circle due to an injury that starting pitcher Jordan Goslee suffered while diving back into first base in the seventh.  Defiance placed two runners aboard with one out and Mallory Falling singled to center field, but Rose-Hulman's Brittany Bernthold threw out potential game winning runner Laurel Palk at the plate.

On the ensuing play, Kayla Crager grounded a slow roller to third base that was thrown low to first base and allowed Tasha Stucke to score with the game winning run.

Johnston and Goslee hooked up in a classic pitching duel for seven innings.  Johnston went the distance for the second time in the day and scattered eight hits with four walks and three strikeouts.  Goslee tallied eight strikeouts and allowed just five hits and one earned run in her seven frames.

Palk led the Yellow Jackets with three hits, while Cara Hughes added an RBI single.  The Rose-Hulman offense featured two hits a piece by Goslee, Brittany Bernthold and Kristin Greer.

Defiance improved to 21-16 on the season and advances to the first championship game on Saturday at 2 p.m.  Rose-Hulman stands 25-11 and returns to action against Mount St. Joseph at noon on Saturday.