Zembruski Powers Cougars

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

March 18, 2009

         EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Lauren Zembruski connected on a walk-off home run as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville softball split with Drake University Wednesday at Cougar Field.
         SIUE, 22-6, won the first game 4-2. Drake, 15-12, came back to win the nightcap 2-1.
         The Cougars next take on Wichita State at Cougar Field Thursday. The doubleheader begins at 2 p.m.
         Zembruski's home run was her fifth of the season. She took a 1-1 pitch from Drake reliever Mandy Osborn just over the right field fence.
         "I wasn't sure if it was going out," said Zembruski.
         Brynne Dordel took the loss for the Bulldogs after walking Courtney Mall on four pitches to lead off the seventh inning.
         SIUE hurler Kaitlin Colosimo improved her record to 10-3 after scattering six hits and allowing two runs. Colosimo inched toward two career records in the game. She needs six more strikeouts to pass Sandy Montgomery's record of 659 career strikeouts. With 82 career victories, Colosimo also needs three more victories to pass Montgomery on the all-time wins list.
         SIUE had to come from behind against Drake.
         "We made mistakes we normally don't make and chased some bad pitches," Coach Montgomery said.
         Down 2-0, SIUE cut the lead on an RBI single by Chaleen Rumpf in the fifth. Christina Signore's sacrifice fly that scored Nicole Beecher would tie the game in the sixth.
         "We are proving we can compete at the Division I level," said Montgomery.
         Both teams got off to quick starts offensively in game two. Drake scored first on an RBI single by Erin Bly after two illegal pitches from SIUE starter Erika Taylor advanced Bridget Shields to third.
         SIUE tied it in the bottom of the first as Beecher doubled down the right field line, scoring Zembruski who reached on a infield error.
         Drake starting pitcher Jenna DeLong, who was 3 for 3 in game two, singled home Torey Craddock for the eventual game winner in the fourth inning.
         SIUE stranded eight runners in the nightcap. Taylor took the loss and is now 11-3. DeLong went the distance for the Bulldogs and improved to 6-5.
                  -siue cougars-

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Players Mentioned

#18 Nicole Beecher: OF; 5' 9"; Senior

#34 Kaitlin Colosimo: P; 5' 5"; Senior

#6 Courtney Mall: OF; 5' 5"; Senior

#31 Chaleen Rumpf: OF; 5' 5"; Junior

#25 Christina Signore: 1B/OF; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#3 Erika Taylor: P; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#21 Lauren Zembruski: 3B; 5' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#18 Nicole Beecher
: 5' 9"; Senior
: OF

#34 Kaitlin Colosimo
: 5' 5"; Senior
: P

#6 Courtney Mall
: 5' 5"; Senior
: OF

#31 Chaleen Rumpf
: 5' 5"; Junior
: OF

#25 Christina Signore
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: 1B/OF

#3 Erika Taylor
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: P

#21 Lauren Zembruski
: 5' 7"; Junior
: 3B