Softball Takes Down Villanova

Thursday, March 27

Drexel Softball Field

2:30 p.m.

Drexel University

9-12

Villanova

8-16

Villanova

Drexel

Photo by: Ryan Samson

3/27/2014 8:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

PHILADELPHIA - The Drexel softball team defeated Villanova in both games of a Thursday afternoon doubleheader at Drexel Field. The Dragons edged the Wildcats, 5-4, with all of their runs coming off home runs from Shelby Taylor and Kim Chan. The second game of the day was a pitchers' duel, but Drexel overcame Villanova after putting up two runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Leticia Matsuoka started things off for the Dragons in the first game by drawing a walk in the first at bat of the day. Vanessa Lightfoot put down a sacrifice bunt to move her over to second base but then was able to reach first after an error by Villanova's third baseman. Two batters later, Shelby Taylor came to the plate and hit a three-run bomb over the left field wall to give the Dragons a 3-0 lead.

Two innings later, Baeley Reed worked the count to earn a walk. With one runner on base, Chan came to the plate and drove the ball over the right field gate to make it a 5-0 Drexel advantage. The Wildcats tried to stage a comeback, scoring four runs in the next three innings but Taylor came in to relieve Tara Konopka and picked up a crucial save to give the Dragons the win.

In the nightcap of the doubleheader the Dragons scored a run in the first as Lightfoot singled to right center and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Taylor singled and then advanced to second on an error by Villanova's left fielder, which also allowed Lightfoot to cross the plate. Both teams remained scoreless through the second, but then the Wildcats were able to tie the game up in the top of the third after putting together two singles and some heads-up base running.

The pitchers' duel continued into the sixth inning as the score remained tied at 1-1. With time running out, the Dragons looked to rally in the bottom of the inning as Taylor walked and Chan reached base as a hit-batsman. Later in the inning, Maddison Timoteo drew a walk to bring Karli Boyer to the plate on to pinch hit for Ellen Scott with two runners. Boyer sent the ball to right center to pick up two bases and knock two runs in, giving Drexel a 3-1 lead.

With the go-ahead runs across the plate, Taylor came out to finish out the second game of the day. She ended the game with a 1-2-3 inning to secure the Dragons' second win of the day.

Taylor threw eight strike-outs in her complete-game performance for game two. The wins broke a five-game losing streak in the all-time series between Villanova and Drexel. The Dragons were 2-14 against the Wildcats since 2000 before today's two victories.

The Dragons will return to action next Wednesday, April 2, when they host Coppin State for a doubleheader at Drexel Field starting at 1:00 p.m.