Softball Wraps Up Tiger Classic With Win Over Jacksonville State

Sunday, February 14

Savannah, Ga.

10:00 a.m.

Drexel University

2-2

Jacksonville State

3-3

Jacksonville State

Drexel

Photo by: Ryan Samson

Softball Wraps Up Tiger Classic With Win Over Jacksonville State

2/14/2016 2:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Drexel softball team defeated Jacksonville State, 10-9 in come-from-behind fashion as it wrapped up competition at the 2016 Tiger Classic hosted by Savannah State. Paula Ueno knocked in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth to cap off a three-inning comeback for the Dragons.

Ueno went 2-for-3 on the day with three RBIs and one run scored, while rookie Jenelle Ladrido went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Katie Haley picked up her second win of the season after coming into the game in the top of the sixth and holding off the Gamecocks through the remaining two innings to ensure a Drexel victory.

Jacksonville State was the first to get on the board as they took a two-run lead in the top of the first. Drexel was able to get one back in the bottom half of the inning when a Savanna Johnson
single brought Ueno around to score.

Two innings later the Gamecocks struck again, extending their lead to 4-1 with two more runs in the top of the third. Then in the fourth Jacksonville State would increase their advantage to 6-1 with two more runs off of four hits.

Drexel got a run back in the bottom of the fourth as Johnson drew a walk with the bases loaded. However, the Gamecocks would add three more runs in the top of the fifth to take a menacing 9-1 lead.

The Dragons still had some fight in them though as their comeback began in the bottom of the fifth. Vanessa Lightfoot drew a walk as she pinch hit for Gabriela Kuroda and then Kimberly Chan followed with an infield single that moved Lightfoot over to second. With two outs and runners on first and second, Baeley Reed put the ball in play and reached first on a throwing error by Jacksonville State's third baseman. With the bases loaded, Ladrido drew a walk that brought Lightfoot across the plate. Ueno brought home another run in the next at-bat as she sent a single through the left side to make it a 9-4 game. The Dragons would add two more runs before the inning ended, cutting Jacksonville State's lead to 9-6.

Haley came out to pitch for Drexel in the top of the sixth inning and got three quick outs to keep the Dragons within three runs.

With two outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the sixth, Sharon Zamora and Reed combined for back-to-back singles to load the bases for Ladrido, who sent a double into center field to bring the Dragons within one run of tying the Gamecocks. Ueno followed with another two-RBI double to knock in what would ultimately become the game-winning run and give the Dragons a 10-9 advantage.

Haley forced a ground out and then got two Gamecocks to strike out swinging in the seventh to shut down the chances of a Jacksonville State comeback and give the Dragons their third victory of the weekend.

Drexel improves to 3-3 overall after their first weekend of competition. The Dragons will return to action on March 4-6 when they will head to Hampton, Va. to compete in the Lady Pirate Classic.