Temple University Athletics
SOFTBALL SEASON-OPENING TOURNAMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA CUT SHORT BY RAIN
2.16.03 | Softball
In the first game, freshman pitcher Vicky Grasham led the Owls to a 5-2 win over Radford University. Grasham pitched six innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out seven. Freshman pitcher Katherine White closed the game, allowing only one hit and no earned runs to gain the save.
Offensively, the Owls came alive in the third inning when freshman Jenny Cochran broke open the game with a two out, one run double. The Owls then continued to produce at the plate, scoring four runs in the fifth on hits by Lynsey Grace, Chrissy Harris, Alexis Gary, and Aida Esquer. Grasham topped off her strong performance on the mound with a two run homerun in the first game of her collegiate career.
In the second game, senior Liz Naughton took the mound against Big 10 Conference member Michigan State. Naughton allowed eight hits and four walks, and struck out seven. The Owls, with assistance at the plate on hits by Weigle, Grace, Bari Lynn Pflueger, Harris and Gary, held on to a 2-1 advantage entering the top of the seventh. Michigan State, with two outs and a runner on third, squeezed in an infield single to tie the game.
The International Tiebreaker rule was in effect for the extra innings. Three Spartans crossed the plate during their next at-bat, and the Owls entered the bottom of the eighth in a three run deficit. Sophomore Nicole Undercuffler was placed on second base, but the Spartans quickly retired the first two Temple batters. Freshman Lauren Evans then singled in Undercuffler, but was thrown out at second to end the game.
The Owls come home with a 1-1 record and prepare for this coming weekend when they will compete in the NFCA Lead Off Classic in Columbus, Georgia. They depart Thursday morning and open with a game on Friday, Feb. 21 at 2:30 against South Carolina.
