Late-Inning Rally Not Enough For Drexel; Defeated by Delaware, 5-4

Friday, March 29

Newark, Del.

3:00 p.m.

Drexel University

10-14, 0

Delaware

22-7, 0

Drexel

Delaware

Late-Inning Rally Not Enough For Drexel; Defeated by Delaware, 5-4

3/29/2024 7:28:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

NEWARK, Del. – A seventh-inning rally by the Drexel softball team was cut short by the Delaware Blue Hens on Friday afternoon. The Blue Hens, who defeated the Dragons 5-0 in game one, stopped a two-run seventh inning to defeat the Dragons again, 5-4.

GAME ONE
Lindsay Nelson (4-8) started game one in the circle and went five innings, conceding five runs on seven hits. However, the graduate student struck out six batters in the outing. Natalie Alldred entered the game in relief and pitched an inning, striking out two.

Delaware scored one run in the second, third and fourth inning. In the fifth inning, the Blue Hens scored twice.

Jackie Masone and Kalea Calugay was responsible for both of Drexel's hits in game one. Masone's was a single in the first inning, while Calugay hit a double in the fourth inning.

GAME TWO
Allison Hoppe (4-6) went six innings and allowed five runs on nine hits. After allowing four runs in the first inning, the freshman held the Blue Hens in check for the rest of the game.

Three Dragons tallied two hits in game two. Lily Meuninck went 2-for-3 with a run, while Annabelle Smink and Grace Abbonizio each went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After Delaware opened the game with four runs in the first inning, Drexel responded with a single by Lindsey Hunt to centerfield that scored Ashley Errico. Two batters later, Smink hit a single down the leftfield line to score Meuninck.

Delaware tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the second on a single through the left side. After that, both teams were held in check until Drexel started their seventh-inning rally. Leading off the inning was Smink who hit a double to right center. Following her, Abbonizio hit a double past the diving left fielder to score Smink. Delaware made a pitching change to bring in Emily Winburn, its ace, to close out the game. Alamillo grounded out to first, which advanced Abbonizio. Mia Garza then hit a chopper to short, which was mishandled and Abbonizio scored. Winburn was then able to retire the strongest part of Drexel's lineup to close the game.

UP NEXT
The Dragons return to Newark, Del. to play the series finale against the Blue Hens on Saturday at noon.