Temple University Athletics
SOFTBALL SPLITS PAIR OF GAMES AT TRIANGLE CLASSIC
2.12.05 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, NC -- The Temple softball team found itself on both ends of dramatic endings in today's action at the Triangle Classic at the University of North Carolina. In the first game of the day, the Owls (2-2) scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge UNC-Wilmington, 2-1. The nightcap was just the opposite, as Virginia tallied a single run in the bottom of the eighth to knock off TU, 3-2. The Cherry and White finish play in Chapel Hill with tomorrow's finale against East Tennessee State at 10:30 a.m.
The eventful seventh inning began with Laura Gutscher (2-for-3) doubling and advancing to third on a Aida Esquer sacrifice bunt. After a sophomore Shawn Casey walk, classmate Brandie Mora grounded to the secondbaseman, who couldn't field it cleanly as Gutscher crossed the plate with the game-winner.
Sophomore Richelle Villescas earned the nod against the Seahawks (1-4) and tossed her second gem of the tourney. She scattered five hits and struck out six batters without allowing an earned run to improve to 2-0 on the young season.
Temple scored its first run in the fifth inning as Mora was hit by a pitch and stole second. She scored on a freshman Amanda Carver single.
TU grabbed an early lead against the Cavaliers (2-2), scoring a single run in the top of the third to take a 1-0 advantage. Carver reached base via a fielder's choice, and after back-to-back singles by freshman Brittany Burks and junior Lauren Evans, scored on an error by the catcher.
In the bottom half of the inning, Virginia answered back. UVA used a pair of hit batters, three errors and a passed ball to tally the two unearned runs off freshman starter Cara L'Etoile and take a 2-1 lead. The rookie threw four strong innings, allowing only one hit and no-earned runs before giving way to Villescas.
Carver drove in her second run of the day in the top the fourth, plating Gutscher, who led off the inning with a walk. After seven innings, the game was still knotted at two.
Temple went scoreless in the top of the eighth and with the international tie-breaker rule in place, Virginia began its half of the inning with a runner, Jackie Greer, on second. Greer advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Jessica Taylor's fourth hit of the game.
Villescas took the loss for the Owls to fall to 2-1 on the season.
