Temple University Athletics
Owls Fall To Charlotte 8-2, Season Ends At A-10 Tournament
5.10.07 | Softball
May 10, 2007
AMHERST, MA - Temple's (18-21) first postseason appearance since 2004 came to end early Thursday night following an 8-2 loss to fifth-seeded Charlotte (34-22) in the Atlantic 10 Softball Tournament at the UMass Softball Complex. Junior outfielders Brittany Burks and Anna Rico each collected two hits in the loss.
One day removed from an 8-0 mercy rule win over Charlotte, when the Owls' offense pounded out eight hits against 49ers pitcher Kristen Bowen, hurler Christy Murray (18-10) struck out five and kept the Cherry and White at bay. Murray posted her second complete game in as many outings while allowing five hits and one earned run.
Second-year head coach Casey Dickson countered with junior pitcher Brianna Dairy. However, after surrendering an early run, Dairy lasted through just one out in the first inning before being re-entered in the fourth. In all, Dairy tossed 4.1 innings and allowed one earned run.
Freshman hurler Ashley Smuda (9-11), on in relief of Dairy in the first, received the loss after pitching 2.2 innings and allowing seven earned runs.
After the 49ers took a one-run lead in the top of the first, senior All-America candidate Adrienne Repsher was plated, on a Charlotte error, to even the scoring. With runners on first and second, sophomore Katie Burdeaux's routine ground ball to third base was thrown past first baseman Kaycie Jones allowing Repsher to score.
Charlotte answered with five runs on five hits in the top of the third to take a commanding 6-1 lead and never look back. Kristi Killough's RBI single, one of three on the day, with the bases loaded scored two runs.
The 49ers, slated to meet Saint Louis tomorrow at noon in their third elimination game in three days, added two more in the fourth on four hits and a Temple error.
Rico's RBI single in the bottom half plated the Owls' second run and cut the lead to six. However, the conference's top hitting team wouldn't get any closer as the Cherry and White left nine runners stranded.
Things just didn't seem to be falling in place for the Cherry and White as three hard hit balls, initially lost in the sunlight by a 49ers outfielder, were snagged at the last second. Two of which, off the bat of junior Natalie Wagner and sophomore Courtney Norene, traveled to the warning track.
With the loss, seniors Repsher and Jessica Rohn, high school teammates at Nazareth High in Nazareth, Pa., conclude their careers as members of the Cherry and White. Repsher walks away from the Temple program having set several new records, including all-time career and single-season home runs, her senior season, while Rohn enjoyed her most successful campaign as an Owl in 2007.
The Temple softball team ends the 2007 season having posted an 18-21 overall record.
