March 3, 2002

Box Score

ORLANDO, FLA. ---- On Sunday, March 3, the Villanova Softball team kicked off the 2002 season in Orlando, Fla., at the Rebel Spring Games. The Wildcats walked away with their first two victories of the season defeating Detroit, 8-2, and Gardner-Webb, 6-5, as they improved to 2-0 on the season.

GAME #1: VILLANOVA 8, Detroit 2

In the season-opener after giving up two runs in the first inning, Villanova managed to hold Detroit scoreless for six innings en route to an 8-2 victory.

Sophomore Ricci Lugo (San Clemente, Calif.) started the game for the Wildcats with a lead-off triple and the next batter, sophomore Robin Flier (Lafayette, Calif.), drove her in with an RBI single.

Detroit responded in the bottom of the first inning with two runs of their own to take a 2-1 lead after one complete inning of play. Both runs were unearned.

A pair of freshmen helped the Wildcats even the score at 2-2 in the top of the second inning. Freshman Allison Wisniewski (Smithtown, N.Y.) led off with a double and, with one out, freshman Sarah Wall (Hollywood, Fla.) drove an RBI double into left-center field plating Wisniewski for the Wildcats second run.

Villanova exploded for six runs on four hits and two Detroit errors in the fourth inning earning the 8-2 victory.

Junior Theresa Hornick (Edmonds, Wash.) and sophomore Kari Singley (Irvine, Calif.) handled he pitching duties for Villanova. Hornick started the game and struck out two batters in 3 1/3 innings earning her first win of the season. Both of Detroit's runs off Hornick were unearned. Singley relieved Hornick in the fourth inning and pitched 3 2/3 innings allowing only one hit and no runs while striking out two en route to her first career save.

GAME #2: VILLANOVA 6, Gardner-Webb 5

In the Wildcats second game of the afternoon, down 5-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, Villanova came from behind and scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Gardner-Webb, 6-5.

Lugo continued to have the hot bat for the 'Cats. With runners on second and third and the score knotted at 5-5, Lugo drove in the game-winning run on her third hit of the afternoon.

Three other Villanova players had multiple hit outings. Along with Lugo freshman Kari Koller (Rocklin, Calif.) also had a three-hit game and scored two runs in the victory. Flier and junior Kriste Romano (Mesa, Ariz.) each had two hits and two RBI.

Freshman Shannon Williams (Allentown, Pa.) went the distance on the mound for the Wildcats allowing three earned runs and two unearned runs, on seven hits, while striking out nine batters.

Villanova returns to action on Monday, March 4, when they challenge St. Xavier at 8:50 a.m. and Bethune Cookman at 12:30 p.m.

For more information regarding Villanova Softball, please contact Media Relations Assistant, Kevin Fischer, at 610.519.6460 or via email at kevin.fischer@villanova.edu.