MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University softball team lost a close 6-4 decision to the University of Scranton in the opener before falling by an 8-2 count in the nightcap as the Royals swept the Rangers in Landmark Conference action on Saturday at the Drew Softball Complex.
 
Game 1 Highlights
• The Rangers tied the game 1-1 in the second when senior Katie Grodski and sophomore Sophie Sirota smacked back-to-back singles and Grodski scored on a throwing error.
• Sophomore starter Megan Hulmes held the Royals to one run over the first three innings before a three-run double in the fourth put the visitors up 4-1.
• Drew trailed 5-1 but sliced the deficit in half with a two-run sixth. Freshman Madi Precht walked before eventually scoring on a wild pitch. Classmates Paxtan Perry and Renatta Primmer also singled in the inning, with Primmer driving in another run that made it 5-3.
• Scranton (21-7, 5-1 LC) pushed across a run in the seventh, but the Rangers refused to go away, rallying for a run in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore Stephanie Burns singled before scoring on a sacrifice fly from Precht. Drew had the tying run at second but Scranton starter Jennifer Sweeney ended the threat with a strikeout.
 
Game 2 Highlights
• The nightcap was a pitcher's duel in the early going, with Burns and Meaghan Dowdell tossing three scoreless innings apiece to start the game.
• Scranton broke through with four runs over the fourth and fifth innings, but the Rangers came right back with two in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore Jasmine Vera doubled in a run before Precht bunted home Vera as the Rangers pulled to within 4-2.
• The Royals built upon their lead in the late innings, however, scoring four times over the sixth and seventh. In the meantime, Dowdell did not allow a baserunner of the last two frames.
 
Top Performers
• Primmer finished the day 2-for-5 at the plate.
• Sophomore Adriana Rodriguez cracked a double in the second game.
• After Hulmes tossed six innings in the opener, freshman Skyler Colarusso came on to pitch the seventh and allowed just an unearned run.
• Burns pitched into the seventh in the second game before giving way to senior Cara O'Leary, who came on with runners on base and recorded the final three outs.
 
Next Up
The Rangers (8-18, 1-5 LC) return home on Wednesday, when they take on St. Joseph's-Long Island in a non-conference makeup doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m.