EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Sophomore Amy Gaertner didn’t let it rain on her parade, as Gaertner’s two home runs in the first game helped the University of Evansville softball team hold off Drake University in game one 5-4. However, the Aces (16-31, 8-14) battled but couldn’t get through game two with the Bulldogs (30-17, 11-10) taking the win 1-0.
Evansville 5, Drake 4
Gaertner opened things up in game one with a solo shot to left field in the second inning’s first at-bat. Kelci Alsip then singled to center to bring Brianna Villanueva in from second for a 2-0 lead. After a popup advanced Alsip to third, Tamara Robey’s RBI bunt ended the inning 3-0.
Drake’s Elena Leon came out in the top third with her tenth home run of the year over left center and put the score at 3-1. Gaertner then repeated what she did in the second with a homer over left field for a 4-1 lead.
The Bulldogs closed the gap in the fifth after a Torey Craddock double brought in two runs for a one-run deficit at 4-3. UE was able to grab a run in the bottom sixth, as a Drake error allowed Villanueva to load the bases with Maggie Little and Gaertner. Alsip was hit by pitch to bring in the inning’s run.
Drake started a rally in the seventh with Leon on third and Erin Mollohan on first. An illegal pitch was called on UE’s Kendall Kautz for a run, but the Aces’ defense didn’t allow any more to end the game at 5-4.
Senior Jen McKee (4-7) earned the win after 6.2 innings of work. McKee allowed six hits and four runs while striking out four. Kautz recorded her first save of the year. Drake’s Brynne Dordel (15-7) went the distance for the Bulldogs, as she gave up seven hits and struck out five.
Drake 1, Evansville 0
The Aces found hits in game two, but couldn’t find the runs, as UE ended the day with a 1-0 loss.
Kautz (11-13) took the close loss after going the entire game with three hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Gaertner also had another perfect stat at the plate with 2-for-2 while Krista Price and Robey also earned hits.
Jenna DeLong (15-9) posted the win after giving up four hits while striking out six and walking two.
Both teams went scoreless the first four innings. Drake put up its lone run in the fifth with DeLong walking and advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Molly McClelland then hit a double to left center for the winning run.
Craddock and Macie Silliman also tabbed hits for Drake.
The Aces have one remaining regular-season series left in 2010, as they travel to Creighton next weekend. First pitch is set for noon in Saturday’s doubleheader while Sunday’s final game is also at noon.
