May 7, 2006

Game 1
Game 2

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova softball (13-40, 2-20 Big East) closed out the 2006 season in a historic fashion Sunday at Villanova Field. Despite losing two games to the Big East-leading Louisville Cardinals (41-8, 19-3 Big East), the team had one record set and played the nineteenth-ranked Cardinals closely. Meghan Morese's (Laguna Hills, Calif.) home run in the first game gave her eleven on the season which tied the record set by Ricci Lugo in 2002.

The first inning looked like it would be a long game for the Wildcats with the lead off batter, Leslie Garland, getting a hit and then Lacy Wood blasting a homer over the center field to make it 2-0. The Cardinals added another home run in the third inning to give them a three-run lead before Villanova began to get things going.

In the top of the fourth, Kat Walsh (Los Angeles, Calif.) entered in the circle for the Wildcats and the defense came alive. With runners at the corners and no outs, the Wildcat defense was able to get three outs to save the inning including a strikeout to end it.

The bottom of the inning looked like the offense was getting on track with hits by Morese and Greta Holmgren (Somerdale, N.J.) helping to load the bases. Unfortunately the `Cats couldn't bring anyone in and left all three on base as the inning concluded.

Walsh continued her strong showing the next inning as she got into a jam with bases loaded and two outs. The junior pitcher worked the batter, Alma Navarrete, to full count and struck her out with a beautiful pitch.

The top of the sixth saw a defensive switch for Villanova, and the movement proved to disrupt the `Cats as Louisville scored two runs off of errors. The team had three costly errors in the inning as the Cards extended their lead.

Despite losing some momentum, Villanova came back and staged a historic at bat with Morese reaching her milestone in impressive fashion. The freshman came up and hit a

shot over left center to hit number 11 for the season. This would be the lone Wildcat run of the inning as the team had two outs and two on but couldn't advance the runners.

A long double by Kassie Stanfill scored one more run in the seventh making the final 6-1.

Louisville had 11 hits to `Nova's six, but the `Cats hit total tied Notre Dame for the most given up by ace pitcher, Catherine Bishop. Morese was the only Wildcat with multiple hits going 2-3 for the game. Laura Determan (San Diego, Calif.) took the loss pitching three innings.

Louisville struck first again to start the second game, but this time the Wildcats were able to respond. A high throw to second allowed Courtney Moore to score making in 1-0. Morese then came one hit closer to a second record on the day with a double in the bottom of the inning. This gave her 16 on the season, just two away from the single-season record.

Cassie Koenig's (Las Vegas, Nev.) throw down to second in the next inning was right on the mark ending Louisville's at bat and Villanova was able to capitalize on the momentum. With one out, Lisa Curran (Las Vegas, Nev.) lined the ball up the middle to drive in Holmgren who had gotten on with a walk. This tied it up for the first time of the day.

Louisville was able to get a run in the third, but with runners at first and third, Jackie Dempsey (Lexington, Mass.) ended their chances with an impressive backhanded stop to Morese at short. Villanova put runners in scoring position in the bottom of the inning after Sheri Donley (Orange, Calif.) beat out the throw on a short hit. Again, however, the Wildcats were unable to get their runners home.

The fourth inning saw both teams with runners at third, but neither could score. The top of the fifth proved to be the `Cats downfall as they allowed two runs involving three pitchers. With runners at first and second, Villanova got the final out with a pop up to Dempsey at second but the damage had been done making the score 4-1.

Villanova couldn't get anything else going at the plate and Louisville was able to score a run in the sixth. In the top of the seventh, the Cards added four insurance runs with a grand slam by Lacy Wood to make the final 9-1. This was her second home run of the day.

Holmgren hit a perfect 2-2 for the game and both Morese and Curran went 2-3. Megan Hord (Kissimmee, Fla.) took the loss after pitching the first four innings.

At the close of the 2006 campaign, the Wildcats can look forward to a veteran-laden team next season. With no graduating seniors, the team will return its entire starting lineup and bullpen. Leading hitters, Koenig and Morese will both be back and with the addition of at least three newcomers, the team looks to have experience and skill in 2007.