April 30, 2009

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova softball team closed out the 2009 season splitting a doubleheader with Temple on Thursday afternoon. Temple took game one, 1-0, but the Wildcats came back to earn a 4-2 victory in the nightcap. Villanova will finish with a 23-26 overall record.

The offense struggle to produce a run in the first game, though seniors Jackie Dempsey, Meghan Morese and Natalie Hord each connected for one hit.

Freshman Molly Manning threw a complete game allowing just one run and three hits while striking out eight batters.

In the nightcap, the game was scoreless through the bottom of the fifth inning when sophomore Christina Botkins led off with a right field single and freshman Amy Vergel de Dios came in to pinch run. Freshman Jamie O'Hara singled and the runners advanced on a groundout. With two out, junior Danielle Maricle doubled to left center to put Villanova on top, 2-0.

Temple quickly responded in the top of the sixth with a two-run homerun to left field to tie the game.

The game wasn't tied for long as Morese came through with a homer to left field in the first at-bat to put the `Cats back in front, 3-2. Freshman Kristi Burlin singled and scored on a double from Hord to add a run, 4-2.

Freshman Caitlyn Delahaba worked out of the top of the seventh and secured the Wildcats' victory. She struck out 11 batters and allowed just four hits in a complete game.

Maricle, Morese and O'Hara each went 2-for-3, while Burlin, Botkins, freshman Tessa Braga and Hord each had one hit to combine for 10 overall.