Temple University Athletics
Softball Falls to Dayton in 13-8 Slugfest
4.24.09 | Softball
April 24, 2009
AMBLER, Pa. -Who knew the Ambler Sports Complex was the site of this year's home run derby?
On a warm and sunny day with the wind blowing slightly out to centerfield, Friday afternoon's match-up between Temple and Dayton quickly morphed into an offensive explosion for both squads. Unfortunately for the Owls (11-22, 5-6), they came out on the losing end, as Dayton (12-30, 6-9) scored 13 runs on 17 hits - including six runs in the critical seventh inning - to out-slug the Owls for a 13-8 victory.
The loss snaps the Owls season-high seven game winning streak, and is the team's first loss since April 5th against Fordham.
In all, the game featured four home runs, a grand slam, two doubles, a triple, 21 runs and 30 hits.
Senior Courtney Norene and senior Katie Burdeaux blasted back-to-back home runs in the first inning to help pace the Temple offense. Senior Nicole Lee added three hits including a double, while senior Chante' Pleydle and freshman Rachel Knable each added two hits and two RBI.
For Dayton, Courtney Kutsuli blasted a game-winning grand slam in the top of seventh inning, while Lauren Nacke added a home run and three RBI.
Freshman Sarah Reynolds (5-6) - who had won her previous five decisions - took the loss for the Cherry and White, coming into the game in relief of the starter Burdeaux. Reynolds pitched 3.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits while striking out four. Burdeaux lasted three innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits. Sophomore Amanda Branco worked a perfect two-thirds of an inning in relief of Reynolds.
Allie Falk picked up the win for the Flyers, working six innings in relief of starter Eva Rappe, allowing just one earned run and striking out six.
The Owls got off to a hot start at the plate. The Cherry and White built a 5-0 lead after the first inning, thanks in both to back-to-back blasts from Norene and Burdeaux. Already Temple's all-time home-run leader, Norene blasted the 25th home run of her career in the first- a three-run moon shot over left-center field. Burdeaux followed that up with a homer of her own, a solo shot to dead center field.
The Owls held on to the 5-0 lead until the Dayton bats came to life. The Flyers scored three runs in the third inning, thanks to Nacke's three-run homer, cutting the lead to 5-3 after three innings. They added three more runs in the fourth, this time on five consecutive base hits, chasing Burdeaux from the game and taking the lead at 6-5.
The teams would split runs the next two innings, with the Owls tying the game 7-7 in the sixth inning after a Jess Hirschbuhl RBI single to third base scored Pleydle.
But in the seventh inning, the wheels came off for the Owls. Dayton - aided by two costly Temple errors - scored six runs on three hits, including the game-winning grand slam to extend the lead all the way to 13-7.
The Owls would push one run across in the bottom of the seventh on a Pleydle RBI single, but it was not enough, as the Flyers hung on for the 13-8 win.
With the loss, the Owls (5-6 A-10) still hang on the sixth spot in the A-10 standings over the Flyers (6-9) by two games. The top six teams advance to the A-10 Championship from Fordham University on May 6-9.
Senior Amanda Carver, junior Krystle Metzler and freshman Samantha Schoell all hit safely for the Cherry and White.
The two teams will meet up again tomorrow from the Ambler Sports Complex in the Owls' final home game of the season. Seniors Courtney Norene, Katie Burdeaux, Nikki Lee, Amanda Carver and Chante' Pleydle will all be honored prior to the game. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
