Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
North Dakota State
Dragons Fall to North Dakota State 10-3 at UCSB Gaucho Classic
2/25/2010 8:39:38 PM | Softball
Santa Barbara, Calif. - Ashley Botelho claimed sole possession of Drexel's all-time home run mark, drilling her first homer of the season and 19th career blast in the bottom of the first inning. But the Dragons (2-4) lost to a tough North Dakota State team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year, 10-3. Botelho's bomb came against starter Randi Parks, who was promptly relieved by Whitney Johnson. Johnson would allow just one hit in the next six and two-thirds innings while fanning 11 batters to earn the win.
Botelho's shot was of the three-run variety and brought the Dragons back from an early 2-0 deficit in the opening frame and give the Dragons a brief 3-2 lead.
The Bison came right back in the second inning to take a 5-3 lead. The first six batters of the inning hit balls hard off of starter Katrina Gaudier. The first two went for line outs and the next four were base hits, capped by a two-RBI knock off the bat of Melissa Chmielewski to give North Dakota State a 5-3 lead. Gaudier and the Dragons escaped the inning on a pop out by Taylor Mortenson with runners on base.
Two innings later, Chmielewski would break the game wide open with a grand slam off Gaudier to give the Bison a 9-3 lead. Shyann Beach relieved Gaudier and got out of the inning on an base runner interference call at second base.
Beach allowed just one run on three hits and three walks over the final three innings, but North Dakota State's Whitney Johnson did not allow the Dragons to score again in the contest. Gaudier incurred the loss after giving up nine earned runs on 12 hits and three walks in three and one-third innings of work.
The Dragons will face Memphis and Wisconsin tomorrow at the UCSB Gaucho Classic.
