Feb. 28, 2000

Boca Raton, Fla. - For the fourth straight day, the Villanova University softball team split two games in Florida, losing to Eastern Michigan 3-2 and winning over St. Bonaventure 12-0, to bring their 2000 record to an even 4-4. All four of Villanova's losses this season have come by only one run, including two in extra innings.

In the day's first game, the Wildcats faced Eastern Michigan who had barely beaten the `Cats 4-3 in extra innings on Friday, February 25. The Eagles again nipped Villanova, this time by a score of 3-2 in the customary seven innings. Eastern Michigan got on the board first as they scored two runs in the top of the first inning. The Wildcats came right back, however, to tally a score in the bottom of the first and then tied the game at 2-2 in the second inning. Villanova's first run was vintage Mia Brickhouse as the senior centerfielder hit a single with one out, stole second base, and came home to score on senior Regina Speicher's RBI base-hit. The `Cats second score occurred when junior Gina DeFrancesco led off the inning with a single, advanced to second after a ground-out, and came home on an error by the Eagles. EMU put itself back in the lead for good in the top of the third with a single run, and they prevailed 3-2.

Game two for the Wildcats was a far cry from the day's first contest as Villanova pounded St. Bonaventure 12-0. The victory was the `Cats second over the Bonnies this season. Amazingly, 12 different Villanova batters had at least one hit in the game as the Wildcats out-hit St. Bonaventure 17-4. Offensive stars abounded for `Nova in this one, including senior second baseman Megan O'Leary who went 1-for-2 with a run scored, two runs batted in, and a home run, junior Jackie Pasquerella who was 3-for-4 with a run scored, and sophomore Josey Mikulyuk who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a triple. Sophomore Karen Niwinski also had a good day for the `Cats as she went 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and a run batted in. Junior starting pitcher Keri Stoller was also outstanding for Villanova as she pitched four scoreless innings that saw her strikeout nine Bonnies and allow only two hits.