April 18, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The University of Dayton softball squad scored six runs in the last two innings for a dramatic come-from-behind 8-6 Atlantic 10 victory at La Salle Saturday. The Flyer rally was fueled by a two-out, two-run double by junior Molly Meyer in the sixth inning, and then freshman Brandy Brown provided the game-winner, a three-run bomb to right field in the seventh inning.

"The key to this game was the clutch performances on offense," said UD head coach Cara Clark. "Molly Meyer and Brandy Brown came up with big hits at big moments."

With the win, Dayton remains ahead of La Salle in the A-10 standings.

Freshman Sarah Wedel, who started the game on the mound, came in for the bottom of the seventh and retired three of the last four Explorer batters to earn the save. Junior Eva Rappe picked up the win for Dayton, striking out one, allowing just one hit and no runs. Sophomore Allie Falk also got in on the action, entering the game in the third and pitching three innings.

"Our entire pitching staff did a great job," said Clark. "Allie came in and kept them off balance, Eva pitched strong and Sarah came back in the bottom of seventh and did a great job. Everything came together."

Brown finished the game with 4 RBI. In addition to her three-run homer, she had a sacrifice fly in the first inning to put the Flyers up 2-0 after their first at bat. Junior Anne Maci started off the scoring with a double to plate Meyer.

The lead didn't last long, however. La Salle scored four runs on five hits and Dayton was lucky the damage wasn't worse than the 4-2 deficit. The Explorers left three base runners stranded in the opening frame.

Both teams struggled to get the offense going after the quick start. It wasn't until the sixth inning until Dayton struck again. Sophomore Emily Stegeman started the inning with a walk. She finished the day going 2-for-3. Brown was hit by a pitch and freshman Courtney Kutsulis reached by an error which allowed Rappe (pinch running for Stegeman) to score. Meyer hit her team-leading 11th double of the season to score pinch runner Megan Barrett and Kutsulis, allowing Dayton to regain its lead, 5-4.

The Explorers would not go away and recaptured the lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Again, the Flyers escaped disaster as La Salle left three base runners on.

Back-to-back singles by freshman Lauren Nacke and Stegeman set up Brown's heroics.

Dayton plays an Atlantic 10 doubleheader at Fordham on Sunday, April 19 at 12 p.m. ET.