Softball fans and families alike were excited over the weekend as the Elizabethtown College Blue Jays came home to face off against the Drew Rangers in the home opener for the season. Etown came into the matchup 5-3, putting together a strong performance in Florida after reaching the halfway point of their win total last season. Drew came into the game 7-5, losing their last two games against Kean. With a young and rejuvenated roster with a large amount of first-year recruits, Etown was ready to make a mark early to start the season after they were voted to be last in the Landmark Conference in the preseason poll.
In the first game of the double header, Etown and Drew were neck and neck, with solid pitching by first-year Aubrey Buckmaster shutting down the Rangers’ hitters. Drew finally got a chance to make a mark, hitting a solo home run in the top of the third inning to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Etown had a few chances to attempt to pull back the lead, with the bases becoming loaded and only one out in the bottom of the third. After a flyout into foul territory along the third base side and a flyout into shallow right field, the Rangers were able to escape the inning, stranding all three runners on base. The Blue Jays had another opportunity in the fourth inning, with senior outfielder Brooke Huczko and senior first baseman Maddie Reever both hitting singles and advancing on steals. Despite runners on second and third, Etown couldn’t score the tying run, leaving the score at 1-0.
With lockdown pitching from both the Blue Jays and the Rangers, Drew blew the game wide open with a three-run home run to extend their lead to four in the top of the sixth inning. Etown tried to stage a comeback late in the sixth and seventh innings, however, the pitching was too tough to tame as the Rangers won game one of the series 4-0. Junior outfielder Hannah Long led Etown, hitting 2-for-3 in the loss.
In game two, Etown started senior pitcher Gianna Anzideo in the circle to attempt to shut down the Rangers. Throughout the game, both pitchers had shutdown inning after shutdown inning, holding the game scoreless after four innings. Drew was able to break the tie, hitting a two-RBI single to break the game open. Etown tried to find an opportunity to come back, however, Drew held on, defeating the Blue Jays 2-0.
Anzideo led the Blue Jays with seven innings pitched with nine hits, two earned runs, and two strikeouts. Long had another strong performance, batting 3-for-4 in the loss. Huczko and sophomore third baseman Jess Dunn both finished the game 2-for-3.
Etown finished the series with a 5-5 record. The Blue Jays hope to regain some momentum over the 12 game road stretch upcoming and will be back at home on April 6 against Lebanon Valley College.
