Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
UNC Wilmington
Dragons Fall Short of Seahawks in Series Finale
4/1/2007 5:28:16 PM | Softball
Wilmington, N.C. - Christina Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a double and her first career home run, but the sophomore's solo shot in the second inning was the only run Drexel (9-6, 3-3 CAA) scored in Sunday's game against UNC Wilmington (15-21, 5-1 CAA), falling 2-1 in the series finale.
Breanna Gomez got the start and pitched five effective innings. She gave up just two runs on seven hits and struck out two batters before being relieved by Katrina Gaudier in the sixth inning. Gomez dropped to 3-3 on the season. Brittney Lehrschall got the win after pitching four scoreless innings for the Seahawks.
Rodriguez gave the Dragons a 1-0 lead in the second inning. The left fielder's first career home run picked up the team after hitting into a double play following a lead-off walk to Molly Dacey.
The Dragons had a chance to augment their advantage in the fifth inning when Rodriguez started the inning with a double to center field. Ashley Botelho got on with a single to the left side. A sacrifce attempt by Kristen Beaver went awry when the Seahawks infield cut down Rodriguez, the lead runner, at third base. After a strike out by Amanda Hastings, Drexel loaded the bases when Lisa Williams reached on an error by the shortstop, but the Dragons could not push home the run, stranding three base runners.
In the bottom of the frame, the Seahawks scored their only runs of the game on back-to-back RBI singles by Tori Safrit and Carley Hughes with two outs. Gomez induced a fly ball to end the inning with the Dragons trailing 2-1.
Gaudier relieved Gomez in the sixth inning and retired the side in order with a pair of fly outs and a fanning of Krista Searle, giving the Dragons a chance to rally in the seventh.
In their last at bat the Dragons did their best to manufacture a run and nearly managed to knot the game. Botelho drew a lead-off walk. With Gaudier pinch running, Kristen Beaver sacrificed her to second base. Unfortunately she would remain there as a strikeout and ground out to third base closed out the game in the Seahawks' favor.
UNC Wilmington took the series from Drexel despite being outscored 7-13 in the three-game set. Drexel's pitching also held the CAA's top home-run hitting team without a round-tripper in the series. The Dragons return to action at Bucknell on April 4 for a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.
