April 5, 2008

Box Score

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton softball team split on Saturday against the Fordham Rams at UD Softball Stadium.

Dayton rallied back from an 8-0 deficit in game one but fell short dropping the first game 10-9. The Flyers got off to an early start in the second game claiming a 7-3 victory over the Rams.

It was a day of firsts for newcomer Allie Falk. In the first game, Falk crushed a grand slam home run her first as a Flyer. Falk also provided pitching relief in both games for the first time this seasons striking out two batters. She also doubled her season RBI total driving in seven runners in the game.

"Give credit to Allie coming in the first game and keeping their hitters off balance," said coach Cara Clark. "Fordham is a great offensive team and we knew that it would be a very offensive game."

Blair Crabtree blasted her fourth home run of the season in the second game making her the fifth player in UD history to hit 10 home runs or more.

The Flyers found themselves down in an early hole in the first game down 8-0 through 2.5 innings when UD's offensive finally saw a spark. After adding three runs earlier in the inning, Falk cracked a bases loaded home run to bring Dayton within one.

"Our team's ability to come back in the first game showed a lot of courage," said Clark.

In the bottom of the seventh the Flyers nearly repeated their performance after Falk hit another long ball to centerfield, but Melissa Andrews was there for the catch. Laura Matthews scored on the tag up but Emily Stegeman was thrown out on the tag to end UD's rally.

In the second game, Dayton jumped out early with two runs in the second inning on a dropped fly ball. Fordham added a run in the third inning before Dayton shut the door completely on the Rams.

In the bottom of the third, Stegeman ripped a single to drive home two runs pushing the advantage to 5-1. Dayton added two more runs the next inning sealing the fate.

The Flyers cruised to a 7-3 win over the Rams in the second game earning their third win in the Atlantic 10.

Dayton is back action against La Salle at UD Softball Stadium tomorrow at Noon. For the latest on the Flyers visit www.DaytonFlyers.com