Temple University Athletics
OWLS SPLIT DOUBLEHEADER WITH HAWKS
4.21.05 | Softball
AMBLER, PA -- Temple and Saint Joseph's, the two finalists in the 2004 Atlantic 10 Tournament, played again in another meaningful doubleheader. This time it was not a NCAA Tournament bid on the line, but positioning for a spot in the four-team conference tournament. The Owls won the first game, 4-1, but dropped the nightcap, 2-1. The loss means that Temple (13-25, 2-8 in A-10 play) must win its last six A-10 games to have any chance at defending its conference title at the league tournament.
Things looked good for the Cherry and White at the start as sophomore Brandie Mora belted her third homer of the season in the bottom of the first to give TU a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Makeala Compton doubled home sophomore Adrienne Repsher in the next inning to put the Owls ahead 2-0. Repsher then doubled that score with a two-run single, her second hit of the game, to make it 4-0 Owls after three innings.
That would be all that Temple pitcher Richelle Villescas (12-16) would need. The sophomore hurler was perfect through four innings before allowing an unearned run in the fifth. She settled down after that, giving up just three hits while striking out three in the contest.
SJU freshman pitcher Lauren Cognini (9-8) took the loss. She struck out four while allowing just two earned runs. The Hawks scored their run on an RBI double by freshman Carly Kinker.
Saint Joseph's (14-18, 3-5) scored first in the second game. Senior Megan Richardson singled to right to lead off the first and then advanced to second on an error by right fielder Shawn Casey. After Kate McCann moved her over with a groundout, junior second baseman Jill Clementi then drove her home with a single.
Sophomore pitcher Lauren Hughes (5-10) was stellar on the mound for SJU, taking a no-hitter into the fourth before senior catcher Laura Gutscher doubled to right-center. Gutscher advanced to third by virtue of a wild pitch, but Hughes got senior shortstop Aida Esquer to pop out to the catcher Lynn Ravert and junior Lauren Evans to ground out to end the threat.
The game remained 1-0 until Kinkler opened the seventh with a solo homer off Villescas (12-17). Esquer matched that by opening the bottom of the inning with her third homer of the season. Hughes retired the next three Owls to end the game.
