Drexel University Athletics
Saturday, April 30
Drexel Softball Field
12:00 p.m.
Drexel University
vs
Delaware
Drexel Softball Closes Out Home Schedule This Weekend Against Rival Blue Hens
4/29/2011 11:29:58 AM | Softball
Philadelphia - Drexel softball plays its final trio of home games this weekend as the Dragons host the Delaware Blue Hens in a crucial CAA series. Opening pitch is set for noon on both Saturday and Sunday between two teams battling for a spot among the top four in the league in order to qualify for the conference tournament. The Dragons (13-24, 5-10) had a mid-week game against Villanova rained out this Thursday and are coming off a series loss at George Mason last weekend. The Blue Hens (18-29, 7-8) have won four straight games, including a three-game sweep of UNC Wilmington last weekend. All three games can be followed on livestats at Drexel Game Central. Drexel will honor seniors Kelly Downes, Katy Harrington, Rachel Campbell, Laura Stagliano and Ellen Boundy prior to Sunday's series finale as part of Senior Day festivities.
Drexel's offense is churning out runs as well as it has all season. Rachel Campbell, who moved from the lead-off to No. 3 spot in the lineup with the return of speedy slap hitter Hanna Parrish, is now batting better than .300 on the season and has reached base safely in 13 straight games. Paige Collings is swinging her way back into rhythm. A two-run homer in Sunday's nightcap at George Mason tied the team's single-season home run record with her eighth of the season.
Shelby Taylor came within one out of her first career complete-game shutout on Sunday and has given the Dragons some strong innings on the rubber in recent appearances. Hillary Allen earned the team's only win of the weekend in a complete-game effort in game two.
Delaware is currently in fourth place in the CAA following its sweep of UNC Wilmington last weekend. All three of the games were decided by one run. The Blue Hens also defeated Penn 6-2 this week and have a win over Saint Joseph's on their record, both teams that Drexel lost to this season.
Big Bats: Rookie Michelle McKinnon is one of the top newcomers in the league this year. She is leading the Blue Hens with a .325 batting average and is also the team's best bunter with 16 sacrifice hits on the season. Lara Andrews is the reigning CAA Player of the Week and leadin the Blue Hens with 20 walks on the season. Catcher Gina Knutson is the power hitter in the Hens' lineup with eight homers on the season and a team-leading 26 RBIs.
Ace of the Staff: Amanda Stacevicz picked up two wins over UNCW last weekend and leads Delaware with 10-8 record in 14 starts. She has fanned 70 batters in 119 innings of work and boasts a team-best 3.04 ERA.
All-Time Series: Saturday's game one will be the 70th meeting between Delaware and Drexel. The Dragons lead Delaware 36-32-1 in the team's most contested rivalry. Drexel won two of three in Newark, Del. last season but the Dragons were swept by the Blue Hens in a doubleheder the last time the teams met in Philadelphia in 2009.
Drexel's offense is churning out runs as well as it has all season. Rachel Campbell, who moved from the lead-off to No. 3 spot in the lineup with the return of speedy slap hitter Hanna Parrish, is now batting better than .300 on the season and has reached base safely in 13 straight games. Paige Collings is swinging her way back into rhythm. A two-run homer in Sunday's nightcap at George Mason tied the team's single-season home run record with her eighth of the season.
Shelby Taylor came within one out of her first career complete-game shutout on Sunday and has given the Dragons some strong innings on the rubber in recent appearances. Hillary Allen earned the team's only win of the weekend in a complete-game effort in game two.
Delaware is currently in fourth place in the CAA following its sweep of UNC Wilmington last weekend. All three of the games were decided by one run. The Blue Hens also defeated Penn 6-2 this week and have a win over Saint Joseph's on their record, both teams that Drexel lost to this season.
Big Bats: Rookie Michelle McKinnon is one of the top newcomers in the league this year. She is leading the Blue Hens with a .325 batting average and is also the team's best bunter with 16 sacrifice hits on the season. Lara Andrews is the reigning CAA Player of the Week and leadin the Blue Hens with 20 walks on the season. Catcher Gina Knutson is the power hitter in the Hens' lineup with eight homers on the season and a team-leading 26 RBIs.
Ace of the Staff: Amanda Stacevicz picked up two wins over UNCW last weekend and leads Delaware with 10-8 record in 14 starts. She has fanned 70 batters in 119 innings of work and boasts a team-best 3.04 ERA.
All-Time Series: Saturday's game one will be the 70th meeting between Delaware and Drexel. The Dragons lead Delaware 36-32-1 in the team's most contested rivalry. Drexel won two of three in Newark, Del. last season but the Dragons were swept by the Blue Hens in a doubleheder the last time the teams met in Philadelphia in 2009.
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