Temple University Athletics
SOFTBALL FALLS TO 16TH RANKED SOUTH CAROLINA AND 15TH RANKED MICHIGAN AT NFCA CLASSIC
2.22.03 | Softball
The Owls first contest, which was set for 1 p.m. against South Carolina, was pushed back when officials contemplated playing on the rain soaked fields. Grounds crew officials worked relentlessly all morning to restore the dirt, however could not do much for the soggy outfield grass. A decision was made to continue play, and Temple finally took the diamond at 3 p.m. against the 16th ranked Gamecocks.
The Owls got off to a good start when they took a three run lead in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Jess Rohn walked and advanced to second on a single by centerfielder Katie Weigle. A sacrifice bunt by Lynsey Grace advanced the runners to second and third for senior Bari Lynn Pflueger. Pflueger drilled the first pitch deep over the centerfield fence and gave the Owls a three run edge. The Gamecocks scored a run in the bottom of the second and the Owls added one on the top of the third, leaving the score at 4-1.
The Owls held the advantage until the bottom of the fourth when South Carolina scored three runs off of back-to-back homeruns. With the game even at four, the Gamecocks took the momentum and carried it through the final three innings. USC added two runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth, giving them a seven to four lead. The Owls had one final opportunity in the top of the seventh but went down in order, ending the game and handing them the loss, 7-4.
After the disheartening setback to South Carolina, Temple headed right into its next scheduled game against the University of Michigan. The game stayed scoreless until the top of the third when Michigan centerfielder Meghan Doe singled and stole second. A walk and another Michigan hit put the Wolverines on the board. Michigan held on to a one-run advantage through the bottom of the fourth inning. Temple catcher Alexis Gary gave the Owls some life when she evened the score with a two-out solo homerun into deep centerfield.
In the top of the fifth inning the homerun came back to haunt the Owls. Michigan designated player Jennifer Olds knocked in a two-run shot and the Wolverines again had the upper hand, three to one. As in the first game, the bats would not come alive in key situations, and Temple did not score for the remainder of the game. In the top of the seventh the Wolverines, with runners on first and second, put the game out of reach with yet another homerun, giving them a six to one lead. In an all to familiar situation, the Owls went down 1-2-3 in the seventh, and Michigan took the game, 6-1.
Temple is scheduled to play its third and final tournament game on Sunday, February 23 at 11 a.m. against the 5th ranked Washington Huskies. That game will conclude the tournament for the Owls, and they will head home to prepare for a home series with Princeton and Lehigh next weekend, March 1 and 2.
