Oct. 5, 2008

Photo Gallery

FAIRBORN, Ohio - The University of Dayton softball team lost a pair of close games to local rival Wright State Saturday at WSU Softball Field. The Raiders came from behind in the first game and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth in the nightcap to pull out 7-5 and 4-3 victories.

In game one, the Flyers held a commanding 5-0 lead at the top of the second inning. UD sophomore Emily Stegeman got the ball rolling with a single and advanced to third on two wild pitches. Junior Anne Maci notched an RBI single with a slap to center field to score Stegeman. UD manufactured four runs in the second with some more small ball. Freshman Lauren Nacke drew a walk to start off the frame. Fellow freshman Courtney Kutsulis put down a bunt that advanced Nacke to second. Sophomore Alicia Nichols singled to set up an RBI single by junior Molly Meyer. Senior Katie Jordan was hit by a pitch and Stegeman took advantage with a double to score freshman pinch runner Paige VanHoose and Jordan. Stegeman was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and Nichols was 2-for-3 to lead the Flyers at the plate.

After a Raider pitching switch, the Flyers only mustered two hits over the next five innings, while the WSU bats came alive. The Raiders had three homeruns in the game, including the two-run shot that gave Wright State the lead.

In game two, the Flyers strung together three hits in the sixth inning to tie the game, 3-3. Stegeman got the inning going with an infield single. Freshman Brandy Brown, who went 2-for-3, singled to the right side and Nacke had a fielder's choice to score Stegeman. Pinch hitter Allie Falk cracked a two-run double to knot the game at 3-all. The Raiders scored a run in the bottom of the sixth on a throwing error and that proved to be all they would need.