Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
UNC Greensboro (UNCC Tournament)
Softball Drops a Pair at UNC Charlotte First Pitch Tournament
2/23/2007 10:29:40 PM | Softball
Charlotte, N.C. - Drexel lost its first two games of the 2007 season, falling to Marshall and UNC Greensboro at the UNC Charlotte First Pitch Invitational Tournament. Freshman Ashley Botelho blasted a three-run homer in t he opening game for her first career hit. But late errors cost the Dragons in an 8-4 loss to the Thundering Herd. The Dragons fell 6-2 against UNC Greensboro. Freshman pitcher Breanna Gomez pitched effectively in both games, allowing just one earned run in six and one-third innings pitched while striking out eight batters. Senior Brianne Brown picked up her 100th career hit while going 4-for-6 on the day with two RBIs.
The Dragons entered the last inning of the game with the score tied at 4-4 against the Thundering Herd. Marshall played four unearned runs in the last inning to take an 8-4 victory. Botelho gave Drexel an early lead with a three-run shot in the fourth inning following an RBI single by Brown which gave the Dragons a 4-3 lead over a tough Marshall team.
Marshall tied the game at four all in the fifth inning when starter Ashlee Veilleux walked in Rachel Sofie. Three Drexel errors in the top of the seventh resulted in four Marshall runs, which was the difference in the game. Williams singled in the bottom of the final frame, but winning pitcher Abigail Harter struck out two batters to end the game.
n the nightcap Drexel (0-2) fell to UNC Greensboro 6-2. Freshman Katrina Gaudier took the ball for the Dragons in her first career start. The hard-hitting UNCG team touched her up for four runs on three homers over the first two innings before she was relieved. Breanna Gomez, who took the loss in the first game, pitched effectively through four innings, striking out five and allowing just one earned run while giving the Dragons a chance to get back in the game.
Drexel did just that in the third inning. Amanda Hastings led off with a single and came around to score on a throwing error by the centerfielder on a hit up the middle by Lena Aiken. Brianne Brown, who picked up her 100th career hit in game one, continued her hot hitting by singling in Aiken to make it a 4-2 game.
The Dragons would not plate another run, however, despite putting the lead-off runner on base in the fifth and seventh innings. Brown, Christina Rodriguez and Lisa Williams each had a pair of hits in the game for the Dragons who had nine knocks in the game.
Hannah Angel got the win for UNCG after pitching a complete game without allowing an earned run and fanning five batters.
Drexel takes on Western Carolina tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. before playing the host Charlotte 49ers at noon.
