VILLANOVA, PA -- Senior shortstop Aida Esquer belted her team-leading fourth home run in the second inning, accounting for all the scoring as Temple defeat host Villanova, 1-0, on Tuesday afternoon at the Villanova Softball Field in a single, non-conference game. The Owls improve to 14-27 while the Wildcats fall to 32-23.
Sophomore hurler Richelle Villescas (13-18) allowed just five hits while striking out one in a strong outing. Senior pitcher Kristen Haynes (12-11) gave up just three hits, two coming off the bat of Esquer, in suffering the hard-luck loss.
In the top of the seventh, Temple's Adrienne Repsher led off with a double before being replaced by pinch runner Amanda Carver. Senior Laura Gutscher advanced Carver on a sacrifice bunt before Haynes intentionally walked Esquer. With one out, Haynes struck out Makeala Compton. After Esquer stole second to put runners on second and third, Haynes got sophomore Shawn Casey on strikes for her sixth strikeout of the game.
Villanova's last chance came in the bottom of the seventh. Sophomore Cassie Koenig led off with a single, but pinch-runner Lindsey Martin was thrown out after senior Kari Koller popped up and Martin was caught between first and second.
Temple, barely alive for a berth in the A-10 Tournament, concludes its regular season this weekend with conference doubleheaders against Dayton (Friday, noon) and George Washington (Sunday, noon). The twinbills will be held at Ambler Field with the Owls honoring their seniors, Esquer, Gutscher and Melissa McCartney, prior to the GW games.
