PLANT CITY, Fla. -- The Owl softball team faced the Harvard Crimson and the Michigan State Spartans in day two action at the Plant City Tournament. Temple (1-7) experienced an 8-2 loss against Harvard and was shut out (0-2) by the Spartans. In their game against Michigan State, the Owls, full of intensity and enthusiasm, had their biggest and closest fight yet this season.
The Spartans took the lead early, when consecutive singles by Caitlin Mahoney and Danya Feenstra began the top of the second. Kara Weigle would reach on a fielder's choice, advancing pinch runner Abby Lincoln and Feenstra, as Meghan Darhower stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. Lincoln would score Michigan State's first run off a Darhower single, however the Owl defense would hold the Spartans to just one run in the inning. The game would remain scoreless until the sixth innings, when Spartan Nicole Mercado reached on an error by Temple's infield.
Owl freshman Ashleigh Porter logged the loss. She allowed three hits and one run in 1.1 innings and committed one error. Temple freshman Katie Burdeaux pitched for 3.2 innings and allowed two hits and one run while committing one error. TU sophomore Jennifer Nacianceno pitched for two complete innings allowing one hit.
"Jessica Rohn has shown true intensity and guts throughout this tournament. She has been a vocal leader and is a game fighter up to bat, in the dugout and outfield play," said first year head coach Casey Dickson of her starting center fielder. Rohn was 1-2 with a sacrifice bunt in the sixth inning, crucial to advance Danielle Fagan. Makeala Compton Makaela Compton was 1-2 and doubled in the seventh. "Compton has never stopped her determination up to bat. She is a consistent emotional player," said Dickson.
Temple continues action at Plant City, Sunday vs. Toledo at 10:30 p.m. and Illinois State at 12:30 p.m. from the Randy Larson Four Plex.
