MADISON, N.J. (April 23, 2016) – The Drew University softball team earned a split with Elizabethtown College in a Landmark Conference doubleheader at home on Saturday, rebounding from an 11-1 loss in Game 1 with a 2-1 victory in the second game.
 
Top Performers: Junior outfielder Phylicia Pellot was 3-for-3 and scored the go-ahead run in the Game 2 victory. Sophomore catcher Heather Ronchi tied the game with an RBI groundout in the fifth and freshman pitcher Bethany Budner drove in the winning run by drawing a bases-loaded walk in Drew's two-run bottom of the fifth.
 
Budner's eventual game-winning RBI gave herself the victory on the mound after scattering seven hits and a walk over seven innings of work in the circle. Budner improves to 10-8 this season as a starting pitcher.
 
Turning Point: Drew's crucial fifth inning was started by a recent sparkplug for the Drew offense, freshman first baseman Cara O'Leary. The speedy rookie bunted for a base hit to lead off the fifth, her seventh hit in the last eight games. Pellot followed with a single before junior shortstop Meghan McGuire moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Ronchi tied the game with a well-placed groundout, scoring O'Leary, followed by sophomore third baseman Lauren Mastropierro taking a base on a hit by pitch. Budner then drew a five-pitch walk to send Pellot home as the go-ahead score.
 
Other Highlights: Ronchi drove in the lone run in Game 1, while Pellot, Mastropierro and sophomore outfielder Brooke Adams each picked up a hit. Budner recorded a hit in Game 2 along with Pellot's three and a base knock by sophomore second baseman Danielle Martinez.
 
Up Next: The Rangers continue non-conference play on Tuesday, April 26 at 3:00 p.m. against Centenary (N.J.) College at home.