May 1, 2007

Box Score

Villanova, Pa. - Villanova's Meghan Morese tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run single, but Temple came back with a solo home run in the top of the seventh to escape with a 3-2 win in game one of a doubleheader at Villanova on Tuesday.

Villanova starting pitcher Kat Walsh got into trouble in the first inning following a leadoff double and two walks to load the bases with no outs. A sac fly and an RBI single gave the visiting Owls a 2-0 lead.

Walsh would settle down over the next two innings before giving up a leadoff single in the fourth inning. Megan Hord came on in relief to strikeout the next three batters.

Villanova (24-27-1) would take Walsh off the hook for the loss in the sixth inning. Cassie Koenig collected an infield single and Sheri Donley reached on an error by Temple's centerfielder to put runners at second and third with one out. Morese would follow with a solid single to center that easily scored both runners to even the score.

But Temple (16-17) came back in the top of the seventh against Hord with a leadoff home run by Natalie Wagner to regain the lead for the Owls at 3-2.

Villanova would go down quietly in their half of the inning to give the Owls the one run victory. The `Cats now fall to 11-8 in games decided by one run this season.

Hord (0-1), who has not been a regular part of the pitching rotation, was terrific in relief of Walsh. She pitched the final four innings and allowed just two hits while striking out a season high seven batters.

The four innings of work for Hord accounted for her longest outing of the year, surpassing her previous high of 2.1 innings.

With her two hits in game one, Morese extends her hit streak to four games, and has a hit in eight of her last 13 at bats with a home run and five runs batted in.