Temple University Athletics
Softball Opens Home Campaign, Drops Pair to Marist
3.18.09 | Softball
March 18, 2009
AMBLER, Pa. - The bats finally came to life for the Temple softball team in the second game of today's doubleheader against Marist, but it was too little, too late, as the Owls dropped a pair of games to the Red Foxes 10-0 and 7-5 from the Ambler Sports Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
Returning home to the friendly confines of the Ambler Sports Complex was just what sluggers Courtney Norene and Katie Burdeaux needed to jump start their bats, as each hit her first home run of the season in the second game of the day. Still, it was not enough for the Owls, as Marist used three home runs of its own for a 7-5 victory in the second game.
The Owls took an early 1-0 lead on Norene's first home run of the season, the 23rd in the Temple home run leader's career. The Red Foxes would take the lead back in the second, fueled in part of Michelle Lerner's bases-loaded error allowed three runs to score, bringing the score to 4-1.
The Red Foxes would add a run to extend the lead to 5-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, when Burdeaux's first homer of the season would spark a late TU rally. A throwing error by Marist pitcher Caitlin Schell with the bases loaded would bring home freshmen Christana Sykora and Christine Schlichter, cutting the lead to 5-4 heading into the seventh inning.
But in the top of the seventh, the Red Foxes would put the game away with two home runs in three batters, one by Kate Malloy and another by Lindsey Kinel, bringing the score to 7-4.
The Owls would add a run in the seventh, as senior Nichole Lee scored on a wild pitch. But on the very same play, Sykora was thrown out trying to reach third, ending the game.
Burdueax (1-6) took the loss for the Cherry and White on the mound, pitching seven innings, while allowing four earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts. Caitlin Carpentier picked up the win for Marist, tossing five innings and striking out seven.
Senior Amanda Carver added two hits, while freshman Samantha Schoell added a single.
In the first game, the Red Foxes jumped all over the Owls from the opening pitch, scoring seven runs in the second winning en route to a 10-0 win in five innings.
Freshman Lauren Spoo took the loss for the Cherry and White, allowing four runs in an inning of work. She was relieved by fellow freshman Sarah Reynolds, who tossed four innings.
Norene and freshman Rachel Knable added the only hits for the Cherry and White.
The Owls (1-15) open up Atlantic 10 conference play as the travel to La Salle for a Sunday doubleheader. Action is slated to begin at 12:00 p.m.
