FREDERICK, Md. – The Widener University softball team split its Monday doubleheader with Hood, falling 3-2 in the first game and picking up a 3-1 win in the nightcap.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Kelly Dodgson went 5-for-7 on the day, including a perfect 4-for-4 in game two, and drove in three RBI.
• Ally McDowell picked up three hits through two contests and stole a base in game one.
• Bella Walker and Hope DiMario recorded two hits a piece.
• Jennifer Sieminski secured the win in game two, allowing no earned runs in five innings pitched and striking out four batters.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME ONE
The Pride took an early 2-0 lead in the first frame. It began when McDowell reached base on a single up the middle and stole second during the following at-bat. After she advanced to third on a groundout, Tiley reached second on a hit-by-pitch and stolen base to put two runners in scoring position. Dodgson brought both McDowell and Tiley home with a hit to left field to give the Blue and Gold the early two run advantage.

Widener was unable to get on the board again in the game, however, and a solo homer by the Blazers in the third and a pair of runs in the sixth gave Hood the lead it needed as it held on to edge the Pride 3-2 in the opener.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME TWO
In an almost identical first inning, the Blue and Gold again found the scoreboard first in game two's opening frame. McDowell led off with a single and an ensuing Benozich bunt put runners on first and second. Benozich then reached second on a fielder's choice as McDowell was caught stealing third.  Dodgson plated Benozich with a hit to the right side to put Widener up 1-0. The Blazers quickly evened the score up with a run of their own in the bottom of the first.

After three scoreless innings that followed, the Pride got the lead back in the top of the fifth. McDowell got to second off a single and a wild pitch. She was sacrificed to third by Benozich who also reached base on a fielder's choice. A Benozich stolen base later put two runners in scoring position. McDowell was plated on an error by first base during the next at-bat and Benozich reached home when a runner tried to steal second to give the Blue and Gold a 3-1 lead. Sieminksi retired nine of the next 10 batters to pick up her fourth victory of the season and close out the win for Widener.

UP NEXT
The Pride returns to action on Saturday, April 10 for a road doubleheader against Eastern. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.