Temple University Athletics
Owls Falter in 10-2 Loss to Red Raiders
2.17.07 | Softball
Feb. 17, 2007
TUCSON, AZ - Texas Tech (5-3) collected eight hits and walked nine times as Temple's (0-4) early-season defensive woes continued in a 10-2 Red Raider victory Saturday morning at Hillenbrand Stadium in the Worth Wildcat Tournament. Temple freshman pitcher Ashley Smuda lasted four innings and struck out a career-high five batters en route to a no-decision. Texas Tech junior hurler Sarah Losleben (2-1) pitched three innings and allowed three hits in picking up the win.
For the first time in four outings over the last two days in Tucson, Ariz. the Cherry and White failed to hit a homerun; however, freshman Krystle Metzler tallied her sixth RBI of the morning after a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the fifth inning. Metzler's career performance, which includes a game-tying, first career three-run homerun against Virginia, comes on the heels of sophomore Courtney Norene's offensive burst on Friday in which the Wheatland, Calif. native homered four times and drove in seven runs.
As the Owls have been benefactors of first inning offensive production in each of their first three games, this late morning contest was a different story as the Red Raiders escaped the first frame with an early 3-0 cushion. Junior Jennifer Corkin tallied an RBI single followed by a run-scoring triple from junior Whitney Riley, both off Owls starting pitcher sophomore Katie Burdeaux (0-1). Second-year head coach Casey Dickson quickly went to her bullpen with Smuda before the Owls first of three errors later scored Riley.
The Cherry and White threatened the Texas Tech lead in the bottom half of the second after Norene, Metzler and Smuda each drew free passes. However, following junior Brianna Dairy's strikeout and two fielder's choices, the Owls left the sacks packed.
Dickson made her second visit to the mound in the top half of the third in favor of local Philadelphia product freshman Shannon James. Making her first career pitching appearance as an Owl, James faced just five batters, but uncorked three wild pitches that served the Red Raiders a comfortable seven-run lead after three and a half innings.
After the Owls left a Courtney Norene fourth inning double on the pond, juniors Amanda Carver and Anna Rico each reached base on singles followed by a Brittany Burks free pass in the top of the fifth. Senior Jessica Rohn's fielder's choice resulted in her second run knocked in this season and the Owls' first run of the contest. Two batters later, Metzler drew a base on balls that scored Rico, but would be the last gasp from the Cherry and White.
Despite the 0-4 performance in the Worth Wildcat Tournament, the Cherry and White, having not seen an outside practice session since November, showed instances of a bright season. In addition to Norene's three-homerun day on Friday, senior Adrienne Repsher launched two homeruns against Middle Tennessee State and added three RBI and five runs scored for the tournament. Also, while making four appearances on the mound for Dickson, Burdeaux leaves Tucson having gone 4-for-9 at the plate.
Following a 13-day hiatus, the Cherry and White take to the road to Norman, Okla. for the OU Residence Inn Invitational from March 3 - 4. The weekend road trip marks the return of Casey Dickson to her alma mater where the three-time all-Big 12 performer graduated in 2000.
