Temple University Athletics
Red-Hot Softball Uses Long Ball to Sweep Rhode Island, 4-3 and 11-4
4.10.09 | Softball
April 10, 2009
Ambler, Pa. - Freshman Christina Sykora, freshman Jess Hirschbuhl and senior Nicole Lee all hit solo home runs in the first game, while senior Katie Burdeaux blasted a three-run home run in the second game as the Owls used their hot-red bats to sweep conference rival Rhode Island 4-3 and 11-4 from the Ambler Sports Complex on Friday afternoon.
The Owls have now won six of their last seven games, including the current four game winning streak.
“I think we struggled to find an identity at the beginning of the season, which is easy to understand with new kids, new coaching staff, new everything,” said head coach Joe DiPietro. “I think everyone more comfortable now, everyone knows what their roles are and its evident by the way we are playing on the field.”
The Cherry and White once again got strong pitching performances from starters Burdeaux and freshman Sarah Reynolds. Burdeaux (4-10) picked up her third consecutive victory in the first game, striking out seven in 6.1 innings. Reynolds (5-4) also won her third consecutive game, striking out five.
In the first game, it was all about the long ball for the Owls. Solo home runs from Sykora (2nd inning), Hirschbuhl (4th inning) and finally Lee (6th inning) gave the Owls a 4-2 heading into the final inning.
But the Rams would not go down without a fight, loading the bases with just one out when freshman Lauren Spoo came in from the bullpen to relieve Burdeaux. Spoo’s first batter, URI’s Nicole Massoni, laced a single into left field, easily scoring one runner, but with the trying run rounding third base, Lee competed a perfect rely to gun down URI’s Leah DiBussolo at the plate to save the game. Spoo would retire the next batter, and the Owls hung on for the 4-3 win.
Senior Courtney Norene added an RBI single in the first, while junior catcher Krystle Metzler caught two runners stealing. Freshman Samantha Schoell also added a single
In the second game, the Owls jumped all over the Rams from the start, scoring six runs in the second inning and four runs in the third inning to build a commanding 11-0 lead after three innings.
The Owls capitalized on three URI errors and Burdeaux’s three-run blast for the six-run second inning, while it was six consecutive singles by freshman Rachel Knable, junior Krystle Metzler, senior Chante Pleydle, freshman Alysse Pujol, senior Amanda Carver and Hirschbuhl that did the damage in the third inning.
For the game, Hirschbuhl lead the way with three hits, while Knable and Pleydle added two hits each.
The Owls return to action on Sunday against conference powerhouse No. 17 UMass. Play is scheduled for noon.
Note: Cheryl Pignoli, the widow of late softball coach Rocci Pignoli, threw out the first pitch.
