Temple University Athletics
SOFTBALL TOPS UCSB, 3-0, TO ADVANCE IN NCAA REGIONAL PLAY
5.21.04 | Softball
Freshman Richelle Villescas grounded Temple's solid defensive effort as she pitched a one-hitter in seven innings on the mound. Villescas allowed just one hit, a fifth-inning double off the bat of Karyna Wilkerson, in notching her 18th win of the season.
With a fly ball single to short center field, junior Melissa McCartney led off the third inning with her first hit of the tournament to initiate the Owls' scoring stance. Senior Katie Weigle followed with a single to third base. An error by UCSB shortstop Kendra Singley advanced senior Lynsey Grace to first base, loading the bases for the Owls. Then freshman Adrienne Repsher sent a single to center to drive home Temple's first-ever NCAA Tournament run. Senior Alexis Gary followed with a single to drive to make it 2-0. With the bases still loaded, junior Laura Gutscher reached on fielder's choice, allowing Grace to cross the plate for a three-run lead.
That was all that was needed as Villescas (18-13) shut the door on the Gauchos, enabling the Owls to live for another day.
With two losses on the day UC Santa Barbara is eliminated from the Tournament. Temple continues its run for a Women's College World Series berth with its third game of the tournament against the loser of the top-seeded Arizona verses fifth-seeded Louisiana-Lafayette game scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Friday. Tune in to live Temple softball action tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) at http://www.redzonemedia.com/index.asp.
