Softball Defeats Seton Hall in Extra Innings, 5-4

Thursday, April 21

Drexel Softball Field

4:00

Drexel University

17-26

Seton Hall

21-24

Seton Hall

Drexel

Photo by: Ryan Samson

Softball Defeats Seton Hall in Extra Innings, 5-4

4/21/2016 6:39:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Drexel softball team earned a 5-4 victory over Seton Hall in eight innings on Thursday afternoon. The win snaps an eight-game losing streak for the Dragons. Paula Ueno went 2-for-2 from the plate with a home run and two runs batted in. Kimberly Chan and Sharon Zamora also added 2-for-3 performances on the outing.

The Dragons got on the board early as Baeley Reed led off the top of the first with a double to right center. Savanna Johnson moved her over to third as she grounded out to the right side and then Ueno knocked Reed in with a single to left field. Ueno would extend Drexel's lead two innings later with a solo shot over the fence in center field that made it a 2-0 ballgame.

Drexel maintained its two-run advantage into the fifth, but then a single into center field from the Pirates' Alexis Walkden with runners on second and third brought one run across the plate. Yazmin Harrell, who was on second base for Seton Hall, attempted to score as well but Zamora fired the ball home and was able to get the out at the plate. The Dragons' defense would hold the Pirates to just one run in the inning, making it a 2-1 Drexel advantage after five and a half.

The Dragons would go on to extend their lead in the bottom of the sixth. Ueno led off with a walk and then was pinch run for by Jenelle Ladrido. Kai Uyesaka came up next and laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved a speedy Ladrido over to third base. Two batters later, Chan would send a double into left center that allowed Ladrido to cross the plate. Lara Horwitz came in to pinch run for Chan and then scored from second as Zamora singled into right center to give Drexel a 4-1 advantage.

Seton Hall's comeback came in the top of the seventh. The Pirates' second run of the game came off a double steal attempt with runners on the corners that allowed Faith Laudano to cross the plate from third. Two batters later, Walkden sent a two-run home run over the fence in right center to even the score at 4-4. The Dragons were able to get out of the inning without further damage, but with no runs crossing the plate for Drexel in the bottom of the seventh, the two squads headed to extra innings.

The Dragons held the Pirates scoreless in the top of the eighth. Ueno led off the bottom of the inning with a walk but then was forced out at second as Uyesaka laid down a sacrifice bunt and the Pirates' defense handled it well. Two batters later, Chan walked and then Tara Konopka was flexed in to run for Uyesaka at second. With runners on first and second and two outs, Zamora came up to the plate. The junior centerfielder singled to the shortstop to move the runners, but Seton Hall's shortstop bobbled the ball and it got away from her. Konopka was able to come around to score, allowing the Dragons to walk away with a 5-4 victory.

Konopka picks up her eighth win of the season, after coming on in relief of Katie Haley in the top of the seventh. Haley and Konopka combined for six strikeouts in the winning effort.

With the win Drexel improves to 17-26 overall, while the Pirates move to 21-24 on the year.

The Dragons will return to action this weekend as they travel to Hempstead, N.Y. to take on Hofstra in a three-game conference series. Saturday's doubleheader is set to begin at 2 p.m.