Temple University Athletics
Softball Roughed up by La Salle
4.19.08 | Softball
April 19, 2008
AMBLER, PA - Unable to keep the La Salle Explorers off the base paths all game long, the Temple softball fell behind early and was never able to recover, falling to city rival La Salle 10-1 from the Ambler Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
On a beautiful sunny afternoon at Ambler, senior Natalie Wagner was one of the lone bright sports for the Owls (13-19, 3-11). She recorded two singles and was the only Owls with multiple hits. Freshman Summer Ploskanka came off the bench to smack at double in the sixth, and was knocked home a batter later when sophomore knocked singled. Metzler was also hit by a pitch for the 15th time this season, which leads the nation.
The Explorers (16-20, 6-8) wasted no time getting the bats going, as they used four first inning hits to build a 3-0 lead after one. The Owls had a chance to get right back into the game in the second half of the first inning, but after junior Courtney Norene flied out to deep center field with one out, Metzler was gunned down at home by La Salle's Ali Shepard to kill the rally.
The final blow came in the third inning, when La Salle's Mary Beth McCreesh blasted a three-homer off freshman Amanda Branco to give the Explorers a commanding 6-0 lead.
Burdeuax (6-8) took the loss for the Owls, allowing five earned runs in 1.2 innings of work. She was relieved by Branco, who allowed five earned runs in 3.1 innings of work. Gina Massaro picked up her second straight victory for the Explorers, allowing just one run and striking out eight.
The Cherry and White are back at home on Friday, April 25th when they host conference rival George Washington. Action is slated to begin at 3:00 p.m.
