Prezioso Leads Softball to 9-7 Win in Atlantic 10 Opener at Charlotte

Friday, March 23

Charlotte, N.C.

4 p.m.

Temple University

11-11, 1-0

Charlotte

13-12, 0-1

Temple University

Charlotte

Photo by: Mitchell Leff

Prezioso Leads Softball to 9-7 Win in Atlantic 10 Opener at Charlotte

3.23.12 | Softball

Box Score

Game two of doubleheader postponed until noon Saturday due to rain

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sarah Prezioso continued her solid play at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a triple and three runs batted in, while leading the Temple softball team to a 9-7 win at Charlotte on Friday evening. It was the Atlantic 10 opener for both teams.

The game featured lots of hits and runs for both teams. The Owls jumped out to an early lead, plating one in the top of the first. With two outs, Stephanie Pasquale hit a double to center field, driving in Prezioso who had reached earlier on a fielder's choice.

The host team knotted it up at 1-1 in the bottom of the second, though, on an RBI double by Samantha Slade. In the third, the 49ers took the lead when a leadoff walk, a single and a wild pitch put runners on second and third, and Briana Gwaltney delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1. One out later, Chelsea Stamey doubled down the right field line, driving in Jackie Kleinsmit.

Temple exploded for four runs on six hits in the top of the fourth to go back on top, 5-3. Rachel Knable, Meaghan Marley and Christina Sykora all doubled in the inning, with Marley and Sykora driving in a run each with their hits. A pitching change from starter Lexi Betancourt to Chelsea Lisikatos after Sykora's double and an Ali Robinson walk wasn't enough to stop the TU offense. Samantha Schoell immediately singled, and Prezioso followed with an RBI single to close out the scoring for the frame.

Once again, Charlotte responded with two more in the bottom of the fifth to tie it up 5-5.

Both teams got two runs in the sixth to keep it a tie ball game headed to the final frame. In the top of the sixth, Prezioso belted a two-out triple down the right field line that scored Robinson. After a rain delay of over an hour, play resumed and Pasquale singled to left to drive in Prezioso. The 49ers got their runs in the bottom half on a two-run Gwaltney homer to left.

Kayla Cook walked to lead off the seventh and Sykora sacrificed Lacey McKeon, pinch running for Cook, to second. Robinson followed with a timely single to right center, plating McKeon. A sacrifice from Schoell put Robinson in scoring position, and Prezioso delivered her third hit of the game, and third RBI, with a single through the right side.

Clinging to the 9-7 lead with just three outs to go, Brooklin White came through on the mound, getting two ground outs and a fly ball to pick up the win. White (6-5) went all seven innings, giving up 10 hits and seven runs while striking out three and walking four. Betancourt (8-6) took the loss with 4.2 innings pitched, eight hits, seven runs, four K's and four walks.

Game two of the doubleheader had begun and had Charlotte holding a 2-1 lead. Temple was at bat in the top of the second with one out and a runner on first when the contest was called due to rain again. The teams will challenge the weather and try to get the game in beginning at noon tomorrow.