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Montclair, NJ (April 21, 2013) – The DeSales University softball team fell just short in its upset bid of the #1 ranked team in the nation, Montclair State University, dropping game one, 1-0, and game two, 4-3, in eight innings in a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.

In the first game sophomore Rachel Vogel went toe to toe with arguably the nation's best pitcher Alex Hill in a 1-0 pitcher's duel.  Vogel allowed just six hits over seven innings, striking out three and allowing just one run.

MSU scored its lone run in the third inning moving a lead-off double around to score on a single with two outs.  DSU threatened twice including in the first inning when freshman Michelle Gessner led the game off with a double but the Bulldogs were unable to score Gessner from third with one out.  The Bulldogs had first and second two outs in the seventh inning but again were unable to get the big hit as Rice finished the game with 12 strikeouts and no walks over seven innings.

In the second game, Montclair jumped out early scoring twice in the first inning and once more in the second to lead 3-0 before the Bulldogs fought back with a run in the fourth on a Red Hawk error and two more in the fifth on another MSU and an RBI double from sophomore Taylor Kelly.  Rice entered the game after Kelly's double and blanked DSU over the final 2.1 innings as the game entered extra innings.

The eighth inning started with each team placing a runner on second via the international tiebreaker rule.  Kelly was caught stealing to start the inning just before freshman DJ McCauley and senior Julie Brugger singled but were left stranded in the top of the inning.

In the bottom of the inning the Red Hawks sacrificed the inherited runner over third and a single up the middle ended the game.

McCauley took the loss allowing just four hits over 7.1 innings, striking out four.  Kelly, McCauley, and sophomore Shelby Wilson each had two hits in the game two loss and Gessner scored twice to lead of the offensive attack.

The Bulldogs get some much deserved time off after playing eight games in the last six days and will return to action on Thursday when they travel to William Paterson University for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3:00 pm.