MADISON, N.J. (April 2, 2016) – The Drew University softball team bounced back in Game 2 to earn a Landmark Conference doubleheader split with Juniata College (9-11, 1-3) on Saturday at home. The Rangers (7-13, 1-3) fell in Game 1 by a score of 6-4 before rebounding for a 4-3 win in the night cap, which was shortened to six innings because of darkness.
 
Top Performers: Sophomore centerfielder and catcher Heather Ronchi led the Rangers at the plate with a combined 4-for-7 performance, including three runs and an RBI, as her batting average increases to .470 for third place in the Landmark Conference. Ronchi now has a 10-game hitting streak and three straight multi-hit games. Freshman starting pitcher Bethany Budner got the win in Game 2, throwing six innings of three-run softball with six hits allowed, no walks, and three strikeouts.
 
The Turning Point: The Rangers capitalized on an Eagles error that extended the fourth inning in Game 2. After scoring a run on an error, Drew took a 3-2 lead on an RBI double by freshman third baseman Sammie Booth. In Game 1, junior right fielder Phylicia Pellot and junior shortstop Meghan McGuire each drove in runs in the second inning to give Drew a 4-1 lead, but Juniata would score five unanswered spanning the next five innings to take the Game 1 win.
 
Other Highlights: Junior pitcher Emma Agostini supported her own start in Game 1 with an RBI single in the bottom of the first, and sophomore designated player Lauren Mastropierro put Drew on the board in Game 2 with an RBI base knock in the bottom of the third inning to cut an early Juniata lead down to 2-1.
 
Up Next: The Rangers continue non-conference play with a doubleheader at New York University on Thursday, April 7 beginning at 4:00 p.m.