Grippe Tosses No-Hitter As Softball Takes Two From N.C. Central

Tuesday, March 28

Durham, N.C.

1:00

Drexel University

5-10

N.C. Central

5-21

Drexel

N.C. Central

Grippe Tosses No-Hitter As Softball Takes Two From N.C. Central

3/28/2017 5:17:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

DURHAM, N.C. – The Drexel softball team took two games from N.C. Central on Tuesday afternoon to close out a five-game road trip. Rookie pitcher Devon Grippe threw her first career no hitter in the Dragons' six inning victory in the second game of the doubleheader. The Dragons defeated the Eagles, 5-2 in the first game of the day before going on to earn a 9-0 victory in game two.

The Dragons got on the board in game one in the top of the second. Kai Uyesaka was the first to reach base as she singled through the left side and then advanced to second on a fielding error. A single up the middle from Jenelle Ladrido would bring Uyesaka around the bases for the Dragons' first run of the day.

In the third, Drexel added two more runs as Taylor Kent and Baeley Reed crossed the plate for the Dragons. The Dragons went on to tack on two more runs in the top of the fourth to take a 5-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the fourth, the Eagles were able to get two runs back as pitcher Lauren Sitterson hit a single up the middle that was good for two RBI. However, it was not enough as the Drexel defense was able to shut down the Eagles' efforts in the remaining innings and walk away with a 5-2 victory.

The Dragons outhit the Eagles, 10-4 in the first outing of the day. Ladrido went 3-for-4 from the plate with an RBI and a run scored, while Reed added a 2-for-3 performance. Katie Haley threw seven strikeouts and allowed only one earned run on her way to her first win of the season. Lauren Sitterson was credited with the loss for the Eagles.

In game two, the Dragons posted three runs in the top of the second to begin their scoring effort. Taylor M. Lee led off with a home run to left center. Four additional hits in the inning allowed Uyesaka and Johnson to cross the plate, as well, giving the Dragons an early 3-0 advantage.

In the third, Lee struck again as she doubled to left field to score Linda Rush from first base. Two innings later, Drexel extended its lead to 5-0 when Johnson singled to center field to bring pinch runner Sharon Zamora across the plate. A four-run sixth inning that consisted of an RBI double from Rush and a triple from Johnson that scored three cemented the victory for the Dragons.

Johnson went 3-for-4 in game two with four RBI and one run scored, while Lee added a 3-for-4 performance with two RBI. The Dragons totaled 12 hits to the Eagles zero. Grippe recorded seven strikeouts on her way to her first career no-hitter and her second win of the season. Dominique Wilson was credited with the loss for N.C. Central.

With the wins the Dragons improve to 6-10 on the season, while the Eagles move to 5-22.

The Dragons will return to action on Thursday when they will host Saint Peter's for their 2017 home-opener at Drexel Softball Field. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.