Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Toledo
Kayla Cook Delivers Game-Winning Hit in Bottom of Seventh for TU Softball
3.7.10 | Softball
Owls escape with 11-10 victory in final game of Under Armour Invitational
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Freshman Kayla Cook chose the perfect time to deliver her first hit of the game, driving in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh for an 11-10 Temple softball win against Toledo on Sunday, March 7. It was TU's final game of the weekend at the Under Armour Invitational. The Owls posted a 3-2 record at the event.
The first inning was uneventful with both teams going down in order. Toledo took advantage of a Temple error to open the second, however, when Mica Sanchez reached and advanced to second on the TU miscue. It looked like the Owls would get out of it when Kristen Marris struck out the next two batters, but Morgan Smith delivered a timely double down the left field line to plate Sanchez. Audrey Harner followed with an RBI single to shortstop to give Toledo the 2-0 lead, before Marris finished striking out the side by sitting down Ashley Herr.
The Rockets got within one with a two run fifth inning, but Temple looked to have put the game out of reach with a four-run sixth inning for a 10-5 lead. The Owls loaded the bases with no outs thanks to singles from Sykora, Marris and Samantha Schoell. Ali Robinson came through with an RBI single up the middle to increase the TU lead to 7-5. A fielder's choice allowed another run to come in, and three more singles from Knable, Nyman and Samantha Dungan set up three more runs.
Toledo refused to go down easily, however, and the Rockets turned in an exciting seventh inning. Kate Ricchio led off the inning with a double, and Sam Toy reached on an error that put runners on second and third. Brooke Gates then blasted a shot over the left field fence to pull Toledo within two, 10-8. The Owls got one out, but then Erinn Wright reached on a hit by pitch and Jillian Spink followed with a two-run shot to tie the game, 10-10. Nyman came in in relief for Marris and, despite giving up a hit, got the final two outs of the inning to send it to the bottom of the seventh.
Down to their last at-bats to end it in regulation, the Cherry & White drew two walks to put runners on with one out. One out later, Temple had a runners on first and second and Cook came through with the RBI single to left field, scoring Robinson from second base to give the Owls the 11-10 win.
Temple is 4-5 overall and will stay in Florida to face Bethune-Cookman in a mid-week doubleheader on Wednesday, March 10.
