Temple University Athletics
Big Fourth Inning Propels Softball to 4-3 Victory over North Texas
2.22.08 | Softball
Feb. 22, 2008
COLLEGE STATION, TX - The Temple softball team used a fourth inning offensive explosion and another solid pitching performance from senior Brianna Dairy to hang on to a 4-3 victory over North Texas in the first game of the Texas A&M Invitation.
Dairy was dominant on the mound once again for the Cherry and White (3-3). She tossed a complete game four-hitter, striking out six and allowing zero earned runs on the day. Dairy improves to 2-0 on the season and drops her ERA to 2.11 for the season. She pitched out of jams all game long and got the victory despite having her defense committing four errors on the day.
After going hitless for the first three innings and trailing 1-0, the bats came alive for the Cherry and White in the top of the fourth. Leadoff hitter sophomore Krystle Metzler kicked off the offensive explosion with a double through the right field gap. In the very next at-bat, freshmen Samantha Dungan responded with a double of her own to drive in Metzler, deadlocking the game at 1-1. Senior Natalie Wagner made it three consecutive doubles for the Cherry and White, as her double down the left-filed line gave the Owls a 2-1 lead. Following a walk by junior Courtney Norene, senior Anna Rico knocked in Wagner on a fielder's choice to extend the lead to 3-1. Junior Katie Burdeaux finished off the scoring attack as she singled home Norene to the give the Owls a commending 4-1 .
The Mean Green would rally in the bottom of the fifth. Kadie Platt scored from second base following an error by freshmen Chelsea Reicher, cutting the lead to 4-2. Then, Katya Muller doubled home another run to make it a 4-3 contest after five innings
But that is as close as the Mean Green would ever get. Dairy stuck out three of the final six batters and only allowed just one runner to reach in final two innings to preserve the Cherry and White victory. The win brings the Owls to an impressive 3-3 halfway through its difficult western road swing to start the season.
It's a quick turnaround for the Owls, as they face the host #4 Texas A&M Aggies at 4:00 p.m. Live coverage can viewed on Gametracker.
