Softball Edges North Carolina Central, 7-6

Thursday, March 24

Durham, N.C.

5:00

Drexel University

14-9

North Carolina Central

3-25

Drexel

N.C. Central

Photo by: Ryan Samson

3/24/2016 7:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. - The Drexel softball team defeated North Carolina Central on Thursday evening, 7-6. Baeley Reed went 3-for-4 from the plate for the Dragons with two RBI and one run scored.

The Dragons got things started with a big first inning, scoring five runs off of six hits. Paula Ueno knocked in Drexel's first run with a single up the middle and Samantha Asbra added another with a sacrifice fly in the next at bat. Kristi Uyesaka drew a walk with the bases loaded four batters later to bring in a run and then Vanessa Lightfoot hit an infield single that would score Savanna Johnson for the Dragons' fourth run. Reed, who led off the inning, came up to the plate again and singled to third base to drive in another run and give Drexel a 5-0 advantage after the first.

North Carolina Central was able to put two runs on the board in the bottom of the inning as Casey Hargett singled to left field with one out and runners on second and third. The Drexel defense would limit the damage in the remainder of the inning and would head into the second still holding on to a 5-2 lead.

The Eagles made it 5-3 as they scored one run in the third, but the Dragons were able to hold them scoreless through the fourth and fifth innings to maintain their advantage.

In the top of the sixth, Uyesaka led off with a single and then Erin Okoniewski came in to pinch run for her. Lightfoot sent a single up the middle, which allowed Okoniewski to make it to third. With a single down the right field line, Reed knocked Okoniewski in for her second RBI of the day. Reed then stole second during the next at bat, which caused a throwing error on the catcher that allowed Lightfoot to cross the plate.

The Dragons' 7-3 lead did not last long, as the Eagles came out fighting in the bottom of the sixth and added three more runs to cut it to a 7-6 game. Taylor L. Lee and the Drexel defense were able to shut North Carolina Central down through the remainder of the sixth and the seventh to go on to earn the victory.

After throwing five strikeouts and allowing only two earned runs, Lee picks up her fifth win of the season. Jennifer Allison was credited with the loss for the Eagles.

With the victory, the Dragons improve to 14-9 overall. The squad will return to action tomorrow as it will take on UNC Greensboro in a single game beginning at 3:00 p.m.