Softball Cruises Past Robert Morris 9-1 in Season Opener

Keri Stoller throws one-hitter to earn first victory of 2001.

Senior pitcher Keri Stoller threw four innings of one hit and one run softball to earn her first win of 2001.

March 5, 2001

Villanova, PA - Despite having their opening two games rained out, the Villanova Wildcat softball team returned a day later and began their 2001 season in style. The `Cats roared out of the gates in 2001 by cruising past Robert Morris 9-1 in five innings. With the victory, Villanova improves to 1-0 overall, while Robert Morris falls to 0-1.

On the mound, senior Keri Stoller (West Linn, OR/West Linn) got things off on the right foot by throwing four innings of one-hit softball. Stoller struck out six, walked two, and allowed one run. Sophomore Theresa Hornick (Edmonds, WA/Seattle Prep) pitched the final inning in relief. Stoller earned the victory, improving her record to 1-0 on the season.

Offensively for Villanova, senior shortstop Gina DeFrancesco (Ardmore, PA/Haverford) hit a two-run homerun in the fifth inning to secure the victory for the Wildcats. DeFrancesco was one of three Villanova players who had a solid day at the plate. Also hitting well for the `Cats were Heather Garboden (Beaverton, OR/Beaverton) and Josey Mikulyuk (Mishawaka, IN/Mishawaka). Mikulyuk was two for three, recording a single and a double. Garboden was one for two, including a two run double.

Villanova University