The Drexel University softball team had a wonderful Valentine’s Day while playing in the Tiger Classic. They took to the field against the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks and made the most of the holiday. The Dragons showed great resilience in this game, making sure to keep composure and play their brand of softball. Coming into this game the Dragons were 2-3, and riding a two-game win streak.
The first inning began on a rocky note. The Gamecocks recorded two singles to start. After a fly out and a strike out the Gamecocks scored two on, a fielder’s choice and a run batted in single. In the bottom of the first, Drexel’s Paula Ueno walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Savanna Johnson hit Ueno in with an RBI single up the middle.
The second inning was harmless for the Dragons. The Gamecocks hit into a double play, leaving one runner on. The Dragons also could not score. They had an opportunity with two out and the bases loaded but unfortunately, the Dragons left all three runners on base.
The Gamecocks came out swinging in the third inning. They recorded a double to left field and walk. Both runner advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch and both scored. With the score now 4-1, the Dragons were in need of baserunners. Taylor Lee singled to left field, but was left on base.
The fourth inning saw the deficit get worse for the Dragons. The Gamecocks recorded four more hits, and scored two runs. They left two base runners on, but the damage had been done, the score now swelled to 6-1. The Dragons did their best to start clawing their way back. Baeley Reed reached on a fielder’s choice, and advanced to third base on a double by Jenelle Ladrido. Ueno walked, loading the bases. Johnson walked on the next at bat, scoring a run for the Dragons.
With the score 6-2, Drexel was going to have to have a big inning soon. Unfortunately, matters were made worse in the fifth inning as Gamecocks tacked on three more runs to make the score 9-2. At this point a comeback seemed close to impossible as there were only three innings left for the Dragons to make a run. A run is exactly what the Dragons did in the bottom of the fifth inning. They scored four runs, which closed the gap to 9-6. Ueno had a big RBI single and Ladrido walked in a run. An error by the Gamecocks scored two more runs.
The Dragons had a huge sixth inning. In the top of the sixth, they were able to hold the Gamecocks to nine runs. The Dragons then came back to score four runs to take a 10-9 lead. Ladrido and Ueno had two big doubles which each scored two runs.
Drexel shut down the Gamecocks in the seventh inning to win the game by a close score of 10-9. This was all around a great game — The pitching held up when it needed to most, and the hitting performances by Paula Uendo and Jenelle Ladrido were pivotal in this win.
The win extends Drexel’s win streak to three straight games. They will look to continue their good fortunes on March 4 and 5 at the Lady Pirate Classic. The Dragons will be facing Manhattan College and Hampton University March 4. On March 5, Drexel will face North Carolina A&T as well as Hampton University again.