MADISON, N.J. - In a pair of two completely different games, the Drew University softball team lost both ends of a doubleheader at cross-town rival FDU-Florham Thursday afternoon in non-conference action. The Rangers (10-20) slugged 17 hits in the opener and used a big rally to force extra innings, but lost 10-9 in eight frames. The Devils (10-15) then claimed a 2-0 decision in the nightcap.Â
Game 1 Highlights
• The Rangers struck first, when freshman
Madi Precht clubbed her first career home run - a two-run shot to left-center that made it 2-0.
• The Devils pushed ahead with seven unanswered runs to assume a five-run lead after five innings. It was still a 7-2 game heading into the sixth when Drew found its swing, scoring seven runs over the next three innings.
• Senior
Katie Grodski and sophomore
Sophie Sirota capped a three-run sixth with back-to-back doubles as the Rangers pulled to within two.
• Drew forged an 8-7 lead with three more runs in the seventh that included a go-ahead single from sophomore
Adriana Rodriguez. The Devils pulled even with an unearned run in the bottom of the inning, but with two on and one out, starter
Stephanie Burns induced in an inning-ending double play.
• International tiebreaking rules took effect in the eighth, with each side starting the inning with a runner on second. Sirota began the eighth on base and went on to score on a wild pitch. However, FDU answered once again, scoring twice in the bottom half with the game ending on a double.
Game 2 Highlights
• FDU pushed across a single run in the first and third innings before senior
Cara O'Leary blanked the Devils the rest of the way. She retired nine of the final 11 batters she faced.
• The Rangers had at least one baserunner in every inning but the seventh but left eight runners on base. Sophomore
Jasmine Vera doubled leading off the game while Sirota drilled a two-bagger in the fourth.
• Devil starter Kaleigh Oplinger retired the final seven batters to earn a shutout.
Top Performers
• Grodski finished the day 5-for-8 while Rodriguez and Vera each stroked three hits. Vera also scored three runs.
• Precht enjoyed an outstanding performance in the opener, going 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBIs in addition to her home run.
• Burns and O'Leary each went the distance in the circle for the Rangers.
Next Up
Drew returns to Landmark Conference action on Saturday, when it visits Susquehanna University at 1 p.m.
