February 26, 2000

Boca Raton, Fla. - A day after splitting two close games, Villanova University softball had an easier time as the Wildcats overwhelmed St. Bonaventure, 8-1, in the day's first game. Saturday's second game, however, was another heartbreaker as the `Cats were upended 2-1 in extra innings by Furman University, a team Villanova beat 3-0 yesterday. With the 1-1 day, the Wildcats record stands at 2-2 on the season.

Against the Bonnies, Villanova wasted little time as it jumped on top 3-0 in the first inning. The `Cats added three more scores in the third and two more in the sixth to extend their lead. The offensive stars of the game included senior Megan O'Leary, who went two-for-two with a double, single, two runs scored, and two runs batted in, and freshman Sara Carlson who was three-for-four with a run scored and two RBI. Senior starting pitcher Carrie Walpole was terrific on the mound as she picked up her second victory of the year after striking out six and allowing only one hit. Faith Meisinger came on in relief and struck out six in four innings of work to earn a save.

The day's second contest was a fierce battle between two teams who had met the day before. This game was an incredible pitching duel that remained scoreless for seven innings. In the eighth, each team cracked through to score a run apiece. Villanova's run came from an RBI single by senior Mia Brickhouse that scored junior Janna Bullock who had been placed at second base by the international tiebreaker rule. Furman's winning run came home after it started with a runner on second base, sacrificed the runner to third, and singled home the run to win the ballgame.

Villanova's Keri Stoller was outstanding on the mound as she struck out 10 Furman batters and allowed only a single run. Freshman pitcher Teresa Hornick also pitched well, but took the loss for the `Cats.

Villanova gets back into action tomorrow as they face Florida State and Florida Atlantic.