Temple University Athletics
Owls Stifled in 9-1 Loss to #4 Arizona
2.16.07 | Softball
Feb. 16, 2007
TUCSON, AZ - After pounding out 13 hits and 11 runs in the day's opening contest against Middle Tennessee State, the Temple softball team could only muster four hits in a 9-1 loss to defending national champion #4 Arizona Friday afternoon in the Worth Wildcat Tournament. Freshman hurler Ashley Smuda lasted three and two-thirds innings in the loss for the Cherry and White while Arizona freshman Sarah Akimine tossed five innings for the win.
Despite the loss, sophomore catcher Courtney Norene continues her early-season torrid hitting pace as the sophomore provided the Owls' lone offensive thunder with a solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth inning. In both of the day's games, Norene went 5-for-6 at the plate with four homeruns, seven RBI and four runs scored. In just two games, Norene has already matched her homerun output from 2006 (4) and now ranks in a four-way tie (Aida Esquer, 2002-05; Danielle Fagan, 2006; and Makeala Compton, 2004-06) for seventh in Temple's all-time history with eight.
Second-year head coach Casey Dickson, behind the arm of Smuda, had her Owls playing tough through the first three innings before things came unraveled in the top half of the fourth. Smuda recorded two outs in the inning before making way to sophomore Katie Burdeaux and nine runs on eight hits from the Wildcats.
Sophomore third baseman Jenae Leles kicked started the Wildcat offensive attack with a solo homerun before a series of singles and doubles put the Owls in a nine-run hole.
Norene's long-ball in the bottom half of the inning would turn out to be the only damage the Owls would inflict. Junior Brittany Burks, batting in Dickson's lead-off spot for the second consecutive contest, went 1-for-2 at the dish while freshman outfielder Krystle Metzler also tallied one hit in two at-bats.
In both of today's contests, several Owls were making their Cherry and White debuts for Dickson. In addition to assistants Ashley Moore and Lauren Nicholson, infielders Natalie Wagner, Brianna Dairy and Anna Rico were all suiting up for the first time as Owls. Also, Metzler and outfielder Shannon James saw their first action in this their rookie seasons.
The Cherry and White return to the diamond Saturday afternoon for day two of the Worth Wildcat Tournament. At 11:00 a.m. EST, the Owls take on Virginia before playing Texas Tech at 1:00 p.m. EST.
