Dragons Send Seniors Off With an 8-3 Win Over Delaware at Home

Sunday, May 1

Drexel Softball Field

12:00 p.m.

Drexel University

Delaware

Dragons Send Seniors Off With an 8-3 Win Over Delaware at Home

5/1/2011 2:23:34 PM | Softball

Philadelphia – A seven-run first inning fueled in large part by the bats of Drexel's seniors gave the Dragons (14-26, 5-12) an insurmountable lead in a 8-3 win over Delaware (20-30, 9-9) in the team's final game of the season at Drexel Field. Seniors Kelly Downes and Katy Harrington both went 2-for-4 and drove in runs in the game. Senior Laura Stagliano made a pair of superlative diving catches in the centerfield. Jenn Reading went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer. Seniors Downes, Harrington, Ellen Boundy, Rachel Campbell and Laura Stagliano were honored prior to the game as part of Senior Day festivities.

Boundy started on the mound in her final home game as a Dragon. The senior from British Columbia had her career at Drexel shortened due to injury, but suited up and threw the first pitch of the contest before giving way to Hillary Allen.

Allen got the pitching win, throwing seven innings and yielding three runs on seven hits and two walks. She improved to 10-10 on the season with the victory.

Starter Kathleen Conway took the loss for Delaware after surrendering four runs on two hits and two walks while recording just one out. Amanda Stacevicz threw an inning and let up three runs on six hits. Anne Marie Pagano pitched effectively for the Hens in four and two-thirds innings of relief. She did not allow a run and gave up just three hits and a walk while striking out three batters.

The Dragons exploded for seven runs in the first inning on Senior Day. Seniors Kelly Downes and Katy Harrington were in the middle of the rally in their final game at Drexel Field. Paige Collings rolled a two-RBI single up the middle to get things going and Downes followed with an RBI double. Harrington plated two more runs with a single before Jenn Reading drilled a line-drive homer to center field to hang two more runs on the Blue Hens.

In the midst of the rally, Delaware starter Kathleen Conway, who shutout the Dragons in game two on Saturday, was relieved after recording just one out. Amanda Stacevicz allowed four straight hits, including Reading's home run before striking out Stagliano and Campbell looking to end the inning.

Delaware loaded the bases with one out in the top of the second, but Allen was able to quickly escape the jam when Conway hit a screaming line drive directly to Reading at first base for a double play.

A double by Allen and a single by Downes to start the second inning chased Stacevicz from the circle in favor of Ann Marie Pagano. Reading welcomed her to the game with a single to center to make it an 8-0 game. The Dragons loaded the bases with a single by Devon Metcalf before Pagano got Parrish out swinging to end the inning.

Lara Andrews ended Allen's shutout with a long two-RBI single to right field. Gina Knutson followed with a double to plate another run, making it an 8-3 game.

Stagliano stole a pair of Delaware hits in the top of the sixth inning. The first came off the bat of Rachel Jones to lead off the inning. Stagliano got a good break on it coming straight in to make the shoe string catch. The second, off the bat of Anna Marie Pagano, sliced to Stagliano's right and she dove to catch it just before it got to the grass. She also recorded the final out of the inning on a routine fly ball ranging to her right to make the grab.

The Dragons will wrap up regular-season play next weekend with a three-game series at James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va.