Temple University Athletics
PITCHING AND LONG BALL POWER OWLS TO SWEEP OF QUINNIPIAC
3.19.05 | Softball
AMBLER, PA -- Head coach Rocci Pignoli and his defending Atlantic 10 Champion Temple Owls could not have dreamed up a better way to open the home portion of their 2005 schedule. The Owls used shutout pitching and three long balls, the last a walk-off shot by sophomore Brandie Mora, to sweep the visiting Quinnipiac Bobcats, 1-0 and 2-0, Saturday afternoon at Temple's Ambler Softball Field.
The first game featured a pitching duel between Temple sophomore Richelle Villescas and Quinnipiac freshman Kristen Sheriff. Villescas allowed just two hits, both off the bat of sophomore Jenna Henry while striking out four. Sheriff (0-7) allowed eight hits and struck out six while getting out of jams in the second and third inning before junior Lauren Evans launched a homer to left to open the scoring in the bottom of the fourth. Evans connected for her second homer of the season in the sixth to account for all the runs in the contest. For Villescas (8-9), it was her third shutout of the season.
In the nightcap, freshman Jen Nacianceno hurled five scoreless innings to start the contest, striking out seven while allowing just two hits. Sophomore Jessica Skaare was equally as impressive, allowing three hits through the first six innings while fanning three Owls.
Villescas (9-9) relieved Nacianceno in the sixth and struck out three of the six batters she faced, allowing just one hit. Mora then pulled off her heroics, blasting a homer with one out on the seventh, her second of the season, to end the game.
The Owls, 9-15, next host Delaware State on Wednesday (3:00 p.m.). Quinnipiac falls to 2-12 on the season.
