Temple University Athletics
SOFTBALL GOES 1-1 IN TRIANGLE CLASSIC SEASON-OPENER
2.13.04 | Softball
Against Purdue the Owls trailed 6-0 after only two innings of play. The Cherry and White battled back, but lacked the offensive momentum to score runners. Temple left runners stranded in both the second and third innings.
The Owls finally crossed the plate for the first and only time in the sixth inning on a one-run, three-hit effort. Senior Lynsey Grace initiated the drive with a single up the middle and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Junior Laura Gutscher then singled to left. With two teammates on base, the next batter, senior Alexis Gary struck out swinging. Freshman designated player Makeala Compton ripped a double to right field, scoring Grace from second with her first collegiate RBI.
Purdue sealed the win in the seventh by scoring its final run of the game. In total, the Boilermakers scored seven runs on eight hits with no errors. Sophomore starting pitcher Diana LaRiva picked up her first win of the season.
Temple scored one run on five hits with two errors. At the plate Gutscher went 2-for-3 with one double, while Compton went 1-for-3 at the plate. Freshman starting pitcher Richelle Villescas, who allowed six runs on six hits, was charged with the loss.
In its second game of the day Temple defeated Campbell for the first time in program history. Down 2-0 in the second inning, Compton singled. She then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Adrienne Repsher. Sophomore Lauren Evans then doubled in the Owls' first run of the game.
In the top of the fourth, Villescas, in her second start of the day, loaded the bases with Fighting Camels. Sophomore reliever Katherine White entered the game and struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
Gutscher stepped to the plate in the top of the fifth and blasted a solo homerun to tie the score.
The Owls scored the game-winning run in the top of the seventh. Senior Katie Weigle led off the inning with a single and then stole second. Grace followed with a single to send Weigle home with the game-winning run.
Temple posted three runs on 10 hits with one error. Offensive leaders for the Owls included Grace (3-4), Weigle (2-4 with a stolen base), Gutscher (1-3 with a homerun), and Evans (1-2 with a double and an RBI).
White, credited with the win, struck out five batters and allowed no runs, one hit, and two walks in three-and-two-thirds innings of play.
The Owls take on Coastal Carolina tomorrow, February 14, at 11:00 a.m. as they begin two days of bracket play.
