Allen's Walk-Off Single Beats Winthrop in Extra Innings at the Buzz Classic

Friday, March 4

Atlanta, Ga.

11:00 a.m.

Drexel University

Winthrop

Allen's Walk-Off Single Beats Winthrop in Extra Innings at the Buzz Classic

3/4/2011 1:06:49 PM | Softball

Box Score

Woodstock, Ga. - With the bases loaded, two outs and the score knotted at 3-3 Hillary Allen delivered a game-winning single for the Dragons (3-6) in a 4-3 victory over Winthrop in the opening game of the Georgia Tech Buzz Classic. Paige Collings went 2-for-3 with an RBI double to help hand the Eagles (3-9) their sixth straight loss. Drexel caps Friday's doubleheader against Head Coach Kim Camara's alma mater Rhode Island at 1:00 p.m.

In addition to recording the game-winning hit, Allen also threw a complete game in the circle for the Dragons. She allowed two earned runs while scattering 11 hits and two walks and striking out four batters. Natalie Becker took the loss for Winthrop after pitching three and a two-thirds innings in relief and allowing the winning runs in the eighth inning.

The game entered the eighth inning with the score tied at two runs apiece and the international tie-breaker rule in effect. Winthrop scored to take a 3-2 lead on a Jenna Harbin single.

In Drexel's half of the frame Laura Stagliano and Jenn Reading drew walks to load the bases along with Kelly Downes, who started the inning on second base due to the international tie-breaker procedures, with two outs. Collings drew the third walk in a row off of Becker to push home the tying run. Allen then stepped to the plate and stroked a single down the left field line to plate Stagliano with the winning run.

Winthrop opened the game by taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning after a pair of singles and a fielding miscue by Katy Harrington in left field allowed Megan Chapman to score.

The senior quickly atoned for her error, however, with an RBI ground out in the bottom of the second inning to score Collings from third and even the score.

Laura Stagliano put the Dragons on top in the third inning with an RBI single that plated Kelly Downes. The Dragons manufactured the run after Downes drew a lead-off walk and Shelby Taylor bunted her to second base to set up the run-scoring hit.

The pair was also involved with a play in the fourth inning that helped the Dragons maintain their lead. A well-executed relay from Stagliano to Downes cut down what would have been Winthrop's second run of the game at home plate when pinch-runner Paige Hartfield attempted to score from first on a double by Ashleigh Jackson. The play abruptly ended the Eagles' rally and the inning.

Winthrop did break through in the fifth inning, however, thanks to the speedy base running of Chapman. The junior utility player singled and stole second then came in to score on a single by Taylor Wright to even the game at 2-2 setting up the conclusion in extra frames.

Drexel has five games remaining at the Buzz Classic hosted by Georgia Tech at the Twin Creeks Softball Center in Woodstock, Ga. The Dragons will face Rhode Island at 1:00 p.m. to close out play on Friday.