WEEKHAWKEN, N.J. (March, 15 2015) -- On a chilly afternoon on the neutral playing ground of Waterfront Park, the Drew University softball team dropped both halves of a doubleheader with Susquehanna University, Game 1 by a score of 7-2 and Game 2, 7-6, to open Landmark Conference play for the season.
 
Junior second baseman Kristin Zeigler knocked in three runs in Game 2 with a sacrifice fly and two-run single. Game 2 featured two-hit performances from the two through five spots in the lineup, senior first baseman Laura D'Ornellas, freshman center fielder Heather Ronchi, freshman designated player Lauren Mastropierro, and senior third baseman Kate McNamara. McNamara, with a 5th inning single, earned her 100th career hit.
 
Game 1 saw Drew (3-9, 0-2) fall victim to a 4-0 hole that the Crusaders (9-3, 2-0) had opened up by the third inning. The Rangers scrapped for two runs in the fifth with crafty baserunning from senior pitcher D'Ornellas and sophomore outfielder Phylicia Pellot but their attack would come to a halt there as the early gap proved insurmountable. D'Ornellas went all seven innings striking out five and yielding six earned runs on 13 hits and two walks.
 
The Rangers jumped ahead in Game 2 and led 2-1 thanks to Zeigler's two-out, two-run single before a six-run Susquehanna fifth. Drew responded with a resurgent three-run final frame but fell just one run short. Drew sacrificed, slipped runs in on Susquehanna errors and put the ball in play. Two runs scored when a sharp comebacker off the bat of McNamara forced a wild toss home from the pitcher. The ball scooted to the backstop as two Rangers crossed home before order was restored. Senior catcher Rebecca Hutsebaut followed by singling home a run to make it 7-6, but the rally and comeback attempt concluded there.
 
The Rangers will take two weeks away from home starting Thursday, March 19 with a doubleheader against the College of Saint Elizabeth starting at 3:00 p.m. contingent upon the field conditions in Morristown. The Rangers return home on Wednesday, April 4th for a 1:00 p.m. conference tilt with Moravian College.