Temple University Athletics
SOFTBALL FALLS TO #20 OKLAHOMA, 5-0, IN FIRST-EVER NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME
5.20.04 | Softball
The Owls struggled offensively as they faced their first left-hander of the season, OU pitcher Kami Keiter. The Owls saw their best scoring opportunity in the top of the second as senior Alexis Gary singled on a fly ball to short centerfield. With one out sophomore Lauren Evans reached on fielder's choice and advanced Gary to second. Juniors Aida Esquer and Melissa McCartney were unable to advance the runners as Temple ended the inning without a run.
Oklahoma followed Temple's short-lived offensive drive by scoring four runs in the bottom of the second. With one out Christina Enea began the Sooners' scoring stanza with a hard ground single to centerfield. Jamie Fox followed with a bloop single to right. Then Mariee Mena launched s ball to short left that got by a diving TU senior Lynsey Grace for a double, driving in Enea with the game's first run. That opened the flood gates as the Sooners would plate three more runs to open up a 4-0 lead.
The Sooners picked up one more run in the third inning. With runners on second and third, Mena singled to right field to drive in the final run of the day.
The Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year Kim Watkins entered the game in the fourth inning, relieving starting pitcher Richelle Villescas (17-13). Watkins gave up just one hit in three innings on the mound, holding the Sooners scoreless in the second half of the game. Shouldering the loss for the Owls, Villescas gave up five runs, four earned, on five hits over three innings on the mound.
Keiter (18-12) earned the win for Oklahoma as she gave up just one hit and struck out six Owls in six innings of play. She retired 14 Owls in a row before giving way to Jessica Johnson who tossed a perfect seventh inning, striking out two.
Temple, 29-17, now needs to win or be eliminated starting with its game against UCSB. Oklahoma improves to 41-19-1.
