Dragons Fall in Season-Opening Doubleheader

Friday, February 17

Conway, S.C.

10 a.m.

Drexel University

0-1

East Carolina

4-2

Drexel Dragons

East Carolina

2/17/2023 6:09:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CONWAY, S.C. – The Drexel softball team opened its season at the Battle of the Beach hosted by Coastal Carolina on Friday. The Dragons played a doubleheader against Eastern Carolina and the hosts on the first day. Drexel fell in the first game to the Pirates, 4-1. In the second game, Coastal topped the Dragons, 5-2.

GAME ONE
Lindsay Nelson (0-1) started the first game of the season in the circle and went five innings. The senior allowed four runs, two of which were earned. Nelson held the Pirates to just four hits. Jessica Schable entered the game and pitched one inning, holding East Carolina to no hits.

The Dragons notched three hits. Ashley Errico earned the teams' first hit of the season in the third inning. In the fifth inning, Kylee Guerrera doubled to right-center and drove in Drexel's lone run. Savaanah Garcia contributed a single in the seventh inning.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Nelson had a no-hitter through the third inning. But Eastern Carolina scored its first and second run in the bottom of the fourth. In the top of the fifth, Drexel drew within one after Guerrera hit a double to right center. Errico, who reached earlier due to an error, scored.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Pirates doubled their score after the Dragons had a fielding mishap. Drexel had the opportunity to tie and also win the game in the top of the seventh after loading the bases. However, the Pirates were able to escape the jam.

GAME TWO
Schable (0-1) started game two and went 3.2 innings, holding Coastal to two earned runs on five hits. Nelson entered the game in relief and pitched 2.1 innings.

Lana Mooney went 2-for-3 in her first career start. The sophomore's double in the third inning also served as the first hit of her career.

Ameryn Humble went 1-for-3 with a two-RBI single in the fifth inning.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Chanticleers scored their first two runs in the third inning. A double steal resulted in the teams' first run and then a double to left center plated the second run. In the fourth inning, Coastal hit a home run on a full count to centerfield.

In the fifth inning, Drexel cut the three-run deficit to one after a bases-clearing single to left center. Humble took a first pitch ball and then put a ball on a rope. Mooney scored from second and Kylee Guerrera scored from third. Then, Devyn Demchak pinch hit for Lily Meuninck and drew a walk after falling behind 0-2 in the count but the Dragons could not push another run across the plate. In the bottom of the inning, Coastal got those two runs back with a two-run home run.

UP NEXT
The Dragons return to action on Saturday to partake in the second day of Battle at the Beach. On the second day, Drexel will open against East Carolina at 12:30 and close the day against Coastal Carolina at 6 p.m.