April 1, 2003

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Villanova University's softball game vs. Monmouth University was halted in the top of the fifth inning with the Wildcats leading 3-1. Villanova had one out with bases loaded when rain washed out the contest. Five innings need to be complete for the game to become official.

Monmouth opened the scoring in the first contest with a run in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Dana Pasini was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a single by Elissa Connell. Pasini scored on an error by Wildcat first baseman Kari Koller.

Villanova took the lead in the top of the second with a pair of runs. Koller led off the inning with a walk and moved to second base as Allie Wisniewski lined a hit back at MU pitcher Kim Lyall. Jessie Olownia advanced the runners to second and third with a bunt. Sarah Wall knotted the game at 1-1 with a single through the left side. Kristen Strait intended to lay down a sacrifice squeeze bunt, but laid it down perfectly, resulting in a base-scoring hit.

The Wildcats added an insurance run in the fifth inning. Catcher Veronica Alvarez led off the inning with a single over the head of MU centerfielder Kristin Wilson. With one out, Kristin Leese, pinch-running for Alvarez, stole second base and moved to third base on a single to shortstop by Robin Flier. Sara Carlson drew a walk to load the bases and Koller drew a walk to push Leese across, giving Villanova a 3-1 lead.

A date for completion of the contest was not decided. The Wildcats are back in action on Thursday when they travel to Princeton to battle the Tigers.