Temple University Athletics
SOFTBALL DEFEATS PITTSBURGH AND FALLS TO MARYLAND IN TOURNAMENT ACTION
2.21.04 | Softball
Maryland took the lead from the start in the first game. In the first inning Nneka Cardoza singled and scored when the following batter, Casey Leiter, drove the ball into right field.
The Owls answered back in the bottom of the first, by scoring two runs. Sophomore Jessica Rohn led off the inning with a walk and then stole second base. Junior Laura Gutscher then homered to right field, giving the Owls a 2-1 lead.
The Cherry and White lead was short-lived as the Terrapins scored four runs in the second inning. Lauren Pollock initiated the stanza with a single down the left field line. Following a walk to Crystal Rizzuto, Keri Lounge advanced both runners on a sacrifice fly. Pollock scored on the throw to second base to tie the game. With a runner on second, Lindsay Klein hit a homerun, giving Maryland a 4-2 lead. The Terrapins added another run on an error by Temple catcher Alexis Gary.
In the third inning Maryland scored its sixth run as Pollack, who got on base with a walk, scored on a Klein single up the middle
The Owls managed their final run of the game in the fifth inning. Senior Lynsey Grace began the offensive drive with a single to right field. Gutscher followed with a single down the right field line and advanced to second on senior Alexis Gary's ground out to shortstop. Freshman Makeala Compton singled to score Grace.
The Terrapins capped their scoring extravaganza with four more runs in the sixth. With three hits, a walk, one player hit by a pitch, and one player advancing on a wild pitch, Maryland took advantage of Temple's defensive mishaps to put their final runs on the board.
Maryland's Jessica Aditays, who earned the win, struck out nine batters in four and two-thirds innings. Freshman Richelle Villescas took the loss for the Owls. Villescas struck out one batter and allowed one walk and six hits over two innings.
Temple picked up its offensive game against Pittsburgh and scored seven runs. In the game senior Katie Weigle became Temple's all-time stolen base leader by stealing her 35th career base.
The Owls jumped on the board in the first inning with two runs. Weigle singled and stole second base, topping the list of Temple's stolen base leaders. Grace then doubled to score Weigle. Gary followed with another double, scoring Grace.
The Panthers scored their lone run in the first on an error by Lauren Evans at third base.
Grace singled in the third to begin a two-run inning. Gutscher tripled to score Grace and Gary laid down a suicide squeeze to score Gutscher.
Freshman Adrienne Repsher led off the fourth inning and then proceeded to steal second. Junior Aida Esquer followed with a single. Rohn then singled up the middle to score Repsher and give the Owls a 5-1 lead.
In the fifth inning Gutscher led off the inning with a single followed by a stolen base. On the next play Gary bunted and reached first on an error. The error allowed Gutscher to score.
In five innings of relief for senior Kim Watkins, Villescas earned her first collegiate victory as she struck out two batters and allowed one walk.
