Temple University Athletics
Owls Drop Second Game of Twinbill, 8-1, to Stetson
3.9.07 | Softball
March 9, 2007
DeLAND, FL - After four innings went without a run from either dugout, Stetson (11-4) erupted for six fifth inning runs that contributed to an 8-1 win over Temple (1-9) Friday night in the Owls' second game of the Stetson Tournament. Junior Anna Rico's first career homerun, in the bottom half of the fifth inning, supplied the Cherry and White with their lone offensive spark.
Freshman pitcher Ashley Smuda (1-5), making her second start in as many games, tossed five innings while scattering three hits and allowing two earned runs for the Cherry and White. Sophomore hurler Erica Demers (5-0) remains unbeaten after going the distance for the Hatters while allowing six hits and one earned run.
After sending Stetson down in order in the top half of the first, the Cherry and White looked poised to cause some early offensive damage. However, after Rico led the inning off with a free pass and senior Adrienne Repsher reached base on a catcher's interference, Demers sat down Metzler on strikes with two runners on-base.
As Smuda was cruising through three frames, two Temple threats in the third and fourth innings turned fruitless, as well. After junior Amanda Carver singled through the right side of the infield to lead off the third inning and Repsher took another free pass, sophomore Courtney Norene's fly-out to centerfield left two Owls on the base paths.
In the fourth, a Nicole Lee single to right field set-up runners on first and second for the Owls with one out. But, junior Natalie Wagner's fielder's choice forced sophomore Katie Burdeaux out at third before Carver went down on strikes. The Cherry and White left six runners stranded for the game.
After Smuda hit junior Blythe Golden with a pitch, and uthen issued a walk to freshman Amy Joyce, freshman hurler Shannon James came on in relief before the Hatters hung six runs on the Cherry and White. Junior Nicole Forbes's two-run single started the scoring while sophomore Carolina Rojas plated another with an RBI single back through the box.
Following Rico's long-ball, the Owls collected two hits the rest of the way. Burdeaux and Carver each turned in 2-for-3 performances at the plate for second-year head coach Casey Dickson.
The Cherry and White get back at it on day two of the Stetson Tournament Saturday morning against Mt. St. Mary's at 9:00 a.m. before playing Bethune-Cookman at 11:30 a.m.
