FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 6, 2016) – The Drew University softball team opened up the 2016 season with a pair of losses in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic, falling 5-3 to Bethany Lutheran College and 6-0 to Nazareth College on Sunday.
 
The Rangers (0-2) played the first two games of a 10-game stint in Florida. Bethany Lutheran improved to 1-2 on the season, while Nazareth moves to 2-0.
 
Up next for the Rangers is another morning start at the CenturyLink Sports Complex against Northland College and Eastern Nazarene College on Monday, March 7 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
 
Late Comeback Falls Short in 2016 Opener Against Vikings
 
The Rangers scored the first and final two runs of the game, but Bethany Lutheran scored five during the fourth and fifth innings to take the advantage down the stretch and hang on for a win.
 
Sophomore centerfielder Heather Ronchi was 3-for-4 with a booming double out of the leadoff spot, while junior first baseman Emma Agostini finished 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Agostini's RBI was Drew's only one of the game as a couple of Viking miscues led to the other pair of runs.
 
The game started off as a pitchers' duel with Drew freshman Bethany Budner making her collegiate debut in the circle. Budner battled with the Vikings' starter as both teams were held scoreless through three innings, and received a little run support in the fourth inning when junior shortstop Meghan McGuire singled to leadoff the inning, advanced on an error, and came around to score after another BLC error. Budner would go the distance, six innings with 11 hits, one walk and three strikeouts.
 
Up 1-0 and playing as the away team, Drew couldn't hold the lead. It took two times through the order, but the Vikings eventually got to Budner and strung together four hits for a three-run fourth inning. They added to that lead with a solo home run and an RBI single that just blooped into fair territory down the leftfield line in the fifth.
 
The Vikings had trouble closing out the Rangers in the seventh as freshman third baseman Sammie Booth led off the frame with a hit by pitch and advanced to third after a wild pitch, then a passed ball. Agostini followed with some nice opposite-field power and scored Booth with a triple out to right field. Two batters later, Agostini scored on another wild pitch to set the score at 5-3. The BLC starting pitcher, who racked up 16 strikeouts against the Rangers, finished the game one batter later to seal the victory.
 
Nazareth Pitching Silences Ranger Bats in Game 2
 
The Rangers fell victim to another great pitching performance as the Golden Flyers received plenty of run support to back a complete game shutout.
 
Sophomore left fielder Brooke Adams and sophomore second baseman Danielle Martinez registered the only two hits of the game for Drew. Those were the only two base runners allowed by Rachel Mertens, who also never had a Drew base runner reach third base in the seven-inning effort.
 
Agostini started in the circle for Drew, allowing nine hits and three walks while striking out two Flyers.