Softball Splits With Rider, Walker's Home Run Secures Game Two Victory

Thursday, April 26

Lawrenceville, N.J.

2:30 p.m.

Drexel University

19-23-2

Rider

14-25

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Drexel	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	4	11	1
Rider University	0	0	2	0	3	0	X	5	6	0

Photo by: Ryan Samson

Softball Splits With Rider, Walker's Home Run Secures Game Two Victory

4/26/2018 8:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Drexel softball team split a doubleheader against Rider on Thursday afternoon at Herb/Joan Young Field. The Dragons dropped game one, 5-4, before taking the nightcap, 14-10, in extra innings.

The Dragons jumped out in front quick thanks to Linda Rush who smacked her 12th home run of the season out of right center to drive in Hannah Walker for two runs.

Drexel extended its lead, 3-0, when Kristi DiMeo laced a single through left before advancing to second on the throw and forcing Walker home. A passed ball then sent DiMeo to third and Rush home to give Drexel a 4-0 edge. Rider, however, responded with two of its own using a double and a fielder's choice to cut the deficit in half heading into the fourth.

The comeback efforts continued as the Broncs' Melanie Wilkinson hit a three-run homer in the fifth to steal the victory away from the Dragons.
Rush led the offense going 3-for-4 with two RBI and a home run while Megan Trivelpiece went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate. Brooklyn Daly suffered the loss in the circle as she pitched six innings while allowing five runs and six hits.

In game two, the Broncs struck first scoring off a Drexel fielding error and a single for a 3-0 advantage in the first.

After a scoreless inning, the Dragons retaliated to tie the game, 3-3, using a DiMeo RBI double and a Walker squeeze bunt.

Drexel then stole the game away from the Broncs in the fourth when Trivelpiece sliced a single down the left side to plate Jenelle Ladrido. Emma Dryden would go on to pad the visitors lead, 5-3, as she reached home on a wild pitch.

Rider was able to close the gap down to one with a RBI single before using a grand slam in the fifth to take back the lead.

The game did not end without drama, though, as the Dragons knotted the game once more in the seventh. With two outs and the bases loaded, Sophie Halverson drew a walk to force a run before Rush hit a two-run single to tie the game, 8-8.

Drexel's defense held strong as they blanked the Broncs to force extra innings. The two teams traded runs until Drexel finally put Rider away with a huge five-run ninth inning. Rush and DiMeo each hit a RBI to put the Dragons up by two before Walker's three-run homer secured the victory.

Walker went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and five RBI while DiMeo went 3-for-6 with two doubles. Rush was perfect at the plate (2-for-2) and added three RBI. Trivelpiece went 3-for-4 with a RBI. Devon Grippe earned the win in the circle as she pitched a complete game. She allowed 10 runs and 11 hits while striking out seven.

The Dragons will return to action on Saturday, April 28 for a CAA series at Elon. The Dragons and Phoenix will face off in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. and then round out the series with a single game on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.