Temple University Athletics
SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER WITH FORDHAM IN OPENER AT NEW HOME
3.26.04 | Softball
In the first game the Rams scored first on sophomore Katie Davis's RBI single through the left side in the top of the third.
In the bottom of the fifth Temple tied the game on a solo home run from junior right-fielder Laura Gutscher.
In the top of the eighth Fordham scored two runs to take the lead and eventually win the game. Sophomore Lisa Busciacco led off the inning with a double to right field. Senior Samantha Crocker singled to center field and scored both herself and Busciacco's pinch runner, senior Amy Jones, as a result of two errors by Temple's senior left-fielder Lynsey Grace. On the play the Rams took the lead, 2-1.
The Owls attempted a scoring drive in the bottom of the eighth, but fell one run short. Sophomore second baseman, Jessica Rohn got on base with a walk. Grace singled to shortstop to advance Rohn. Nicole Undercuffler entered the game as a pinch runner for Rohn following a base-running injury. With runners on first and second, freshman first baseman Adrienne Repsher reached first and sent Undercuffler home on an error by the Rams' shortstop, Catie Brandl. The Owls left two runners on base in the inning and fell, 3-2, to Fordham.
Temple's losing pitcher Villescas (8-9) pitched a complete game. Fordham's winning pitcher freshman Sara Kinney (9-6) struck-out eight batters in a complete game.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Watkins gave up the only hit of the second game off a Busciacco single to center field. In seven innings on the mound, Watkins shut-out the Rams, 2-0.
The Owls got the sticks swinging early, scoring their first run in the first inning. Senior center fielder Katie Weigle led-off the inning with a single to shortstop and stole second with junior third basemen Melissa McCartney at the plate. McCartney laid down a bunt to advance Weigle and reached first on a error by Fordham's third baseman, Trisha Arno. Repsher's ground out to second sent Weigle across the plate to score the first run of the game.
In the bottom of the fifth, McCartney doubled to center field. With McCartney in scoring position, Grace doubled down the left field line to score the Owls' final run of the day. On the play, Temple took the final lead, 2-0.
In a complete game Watkins (4-0) earned the shut-out victory for the Owls. Watkins struck-out eight batters and allowed one hit. Fordham's losing pitcher junior Carol Fischer (6-3) struck-out one batter and allowed five hits in five innings on the mound.
The Temple softball team returns to Ambler Softball Complex on Sunday, March 28 as it takes-on local rival Villanova in doubleheader action. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 noon.
