Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Hofstra
Botelho Becomes New Hits Leader, But Hofstra Edges Drexel in Extra Innings in Season Finale
5/8/2010 5:23:23 PM | Softball
Box Score
Hempstead, N.Y. - Ashley Botelho became Drexel's all-time leader in career hits when she ripped her seventh home run of the season in the second inning against Hofstra in Sunday's season finale. But the Pride emerged victorious after 10 innings in a tightly contested 4-3 game. The Dragons finish their season 20-24 overall and 8-13 in CAA play. Botelho completes her Drexel career as the program's all-time leader in hits, home runs, RBIs and total bases. The Pride (40-10, 18-2) will enter the CAA Tournament as the top seed.
Hofstra scored the game-winning run on a Michele DePasquale grounder to the hole between shortstop and third base with runners on first and third. Drexel third baseman Devon Metcalf made a diving stop of the well-struck grounder, but as she rushed to get to her feet to make the throw to first, her toss came up just short of first base and Botelho was unable to come up with the pick at first base, allowing the winning run to score.
Senior Katrina Gaudier took the ball for Drexel in her final game as a Dragon. The cagey righty kept the Pride off the scoreboard into the seventh inning while protecting a 3-0 lead for her team.
Gaudier retired the first batter in the bottom of the seventh and looked poised to close out her complete-game victory. The next batter, Kris Root beat out an infield single, her third of the game, Michele DePasquale and Tessa Ziemba followed with singles to load the bases and show Gaudier the exit.
Hillary Allen entered the game and retired the first batter she faced, but walked the next to push home a run. The next batter singled through the left side to drive home two runs and knot the game at 3-3 before Michele Feinstein grounded out to end the inning.
Drexel built on Botelho's home run with a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Caprice DeMirjian reached on a bunt single and Devon Metcalf singled to left field. Both runners came in to score on a Rachel Campbell single to right field to put Drexel on top 3-0.
Allen took the loss after allowing the unearned run on five hits in three and one-third innings. She finishes her season with an 11-10 record.
Olivia Galati earned her 23rd win of the season, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk in 10 innings and striking out 13 batters.
Drexel's eight conference wins this season is the second most ever for the squad since joining the CAA in 2002.
