Temple University Athletics
Owls Snap Skid With Offensive Outburst
4.22.07 | Softball
April 22, 2007
Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
AMBLER, PA - The Temple softball team (13-16, 7-5) pounded out 20 hits and scored 21 runs en route to a two-game Atlantic 10 sweep over Rhode Island (8-27, 2-9) Sunday afternoon at the Ambler Softball Field. Freshman hurler Ashley Smuda recorded her second complete game shutout of the week following an 8-0 game one win. Junior Brianna Dairy came on in relief to capture a win as the Owls cruisedto a 13-0 victory in game two.
Five of the Temple 20 hits on the afternoon were home runs. Sophomore Katie Burdeaux launched a big two-out, three-run home run in game one. In game two, sophomore Nicole Lee slammed two long-balls, the first of her Temple career, while seniors Adrienne Repsher and Jessica Rohn went back-to-back in the third inning.
"The first one was an outside curveball and the second was definitely up and in," pointed out Lee, who started game two behind the plate before shifting to third base. "I think it was really just feeling the energy from the whole offense and being in the moment. With my family coming out here for the whole weekend, it was great."
Smuda (8-8) never ran into any trouble in game one as the Scottsdale, Ariz. native struck out four while scattering just two hits. She improved her team-best ERA to 3.29 while working an even 100.0 innings this season.
Dairy, on the otherhand, had to rescue starter Katie Burdeaux from a one-out jam in the second. Burdeaux surrendered just one hit while striking out one, but struggled to find her rhythm with three free passes. Dairy (3-3) struck out three and allowed four hits in her second win this week.
In game one, the Cherry and White pounced on the Rams early with six runs in two innings. Burdeaux's long home run was complimented by a bases-loaded, two-run double from sophomore Courtney Norene and a running-scoring sacrifice fly off the bat of Lee.
The Owls added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete their first of two mercy rule wins on the afternoon. Repsher's RBI double, scoring junior Natalie Wagner, was followed by a second RBI double from Norene.
By the time Dairy had 1.2 innings of work, the Cherry and White had spotted the right-hander a 12-run cushion in game two. Freshman catcher Krystle Metzler matched Lee's performance with a 2-for-3 day at the plate and four RBI. Repsher tallied three runs scored while Wagner, Rohn, Lee and junior Anna Rico each scored two.
"Today, we got back to what we've done so well all season, and that's hit the ball," commented second-year head coach Casey Dickson. "It was obvious that the girls came out today comfortable and ready to play."
In between games, seniors Repsher and Rohn were honored for their four years of dedication to the Temple softball program. It was only fitting that the high school teammates blasted back-to-back home runs in the nightcap.
The Owls are back in action Tuesday, in their final regular season game at the Ambler Softball Field, against Rider starting at 3:00 p.m.
