Temple University Athletics
SOFTBALL DEFEATS PENN STATE, LOSSES TO BETHUNE-COOKMAN IN OPENING DAY OF PLANT CITY TOURNAMENT
3.15.03 | Softball
The Temple University softball team completed its first two games of the Plant City Tournament today, March 14. The Owls tallied one win and won loss on the day, shifting their record to seven wins and ten losses on the season. The games, which were scheduled to begin at three o'clock and seven o'clock, were delayed due to earlier games running over scheduled time.
In the first game the Owls took on Big Ten Conference member Penn State. The Nittany Lions jumped to a quick lead in the top of the first inning on two walks, two stolen bases and a passed ball. Through the middle of the first, Penn State held a two-run advantage over the Owls.
Temple responded hastily in the bottom of the inning when Katie Weigle lead off with a base hit. Jess Rohn advanced Weigle to second with a sacrifice to third base. Lynsey Grace reached base on an error, opening things up for the Owls. Bari Lynn Pflueger stepped up to the plate and sent a ball dribbling down the third base line. Penn State third baseman Kelley Galigher went home with the throw, jamming Weigle in a run down between third and home. Weigle raced back towards third then back home and beat the throw, cutting Penn State's lead in half. Vicky Grasham eventually came up to bat with the bases loaded and was hit by a pitch, scoring Grace and evening the game at two runs apiece.
Temple added one run in the fourth and one run in the fifth and entered the top of the seventh with a two run lead. Penn State however, would not go home quietly. They put two runners on base with a leadoff single and a walk. An error scored one runner and a follow-up hit tied the game at four. With a runner on third, a sacrifice fly to center field gave the Nittany Lions a one run lead entering the bottom of the seventh.
Temple, which lead for the majority of the game, did not give up in the bottom of the final inning. With one out, Chrissy Harris reached first on a base hit. Temple's next two batters were both walked, loading the bases with only one out and the tying run on third. Jenny Cochran sent a ball rolling to the pitcher and Harris was out on the force at home. Katie Weigle was then walked with the bases full, which scored Grasham from third to tie the game. Jess Rohn came up to the plate and sent an 0-2 pitch into shallow right field to give the Owls the come from behind win in the bottom of the seventh.
Liz Naughton earned the win, throwing five innings, allowing three walks, three hits, and giving up three runs, only one of which was earned. The victory improves her record to two wins and two loses on the season.
In the second game, Temple took on Bethune-Cookman College. The Wildcats jumped on top of the Owls in the bottom of the third inning with four consecutive singles, using their speed and capitalizing on every Temple mistake. The Wildcats took extra bases on the Owls whenever the opportunity arose. When the inning was finally over, four Wildcats had crossed the plate. Vicky Grasham stepped in in relief of Katherine White and held B-C scoreless for the remaining four innings. The Owls could not create an offensive attack throughout the remainder of the game however, and never threatened B-C's lead. They could manage only four hits over seven innings in the losing effort.
Freshman Katherine White was tagged with the loss, dropping her record to two wins, five losses and one save on the season.
The Owls continue play in the Plant City Tournament with a doubleheader tomorrow evening, March 15. The first game is set for five p.m. against St. Francis and the second game is scheduled for seven o'clock against Wagner College.
