Villanova University

May 13, 2010

Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Villanova softball team (27-28) played a good game, but fell just short of advancing in the BIG EAST Tournament, losing 4-3 to Syracuse on Thursday morning in the tournament's opening game at Ulmer Stadium in Louisville, Ky.

Sophomore hurler Caitlyn Delahaba threw a good game, allowing just three earned runs while striking out seven in a complete game.

Senior Danielle Maricle went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while classmate Jess O'Boyle also turned in a 2-for-4 performance with one run scored. Sophomore Molly Manning was 2-for-4 with one RBI. Freshman Valerie Ortega notched one hit and drove in one run, while classmate Amanda Marquez and sophomore Jamie O'Hara also connected for one hit.

Villanova got on the board first with a stellar first inning of play. Maricle led off the bottom of the first with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a bunt single from O'Boyle. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and Ortega recorded an RBI single to send Maricle home, Villanova on the board, 1-0. Ortega was caught stealing second, but Manning extended the inning with an RBI double down the left field line that scored O'Boyle for a 2-0 lead. With two outs and a 3-2 count, Marquez connected for a single into centerfield moving Manning to third, but both runners were stranded as the inning ended.

With two out in the top of the third inning, Syracuse's Hallie Gibbs connected on a two RBI double into right center which tied the game at 2-2. Jenna Caira notched an RBI double into centerfield, which gave the Orange a 3-2 advantage. Delahaba worked her way out of the remaining of the inning, stranding two runners.

The Wildcats caught a break with a Syracuse runner on third and two out in the top of the fifth inning by recording a third out on an appeal that the runner left base early on a caught fly ball.

In the bottom of the second, sophomore Kristi Burlin walked and was advanced to second on a bunt from Marquez. Burlin reached third on a passed ball, but was left stranded as the inning ended.

Syracuse extended its lead to 4-2 after a passed ball scored Veronica Grant who was hit by a pitch to reach base.

Down to just three outs remaining, sophomore Tessa Braga fouled out to the third basemen, but Maricle reached first on a single. O'Boyle notched a single to left field and Maricle moved all the way to third and scored a run on a wild pitch, but the inning ended on a groundout with `Nova falling, 4-3.