April 29, 2007

Box Score

Syracuse, Pa. - Coming off the difficult extra inning loss to the Orange in game one, the Wildcats came back determined from the start in game two. After dropping game on in hearbreaking fashion, Villanova was ready from the start in game two and went on to win, 11-3.

They got things started in the second inning, pushing across four runs in the inning to take a 4-0 lead. Meghan Morese belted a solo home run to leadoff the inning, her sixth home run of the year. Sheri Donley reached base on an error by the Syracuse second baseman, allowing the second run to score for the Wildcats.

Cassie Koenig closed out the scoring in the inning with a double to right center field, plating two more runs. A third run trying to score, Donley, was thrown out at the plate to end the inning, but the damage had been done.

Syracuse did not allow the big lead to stand for Villanova (24-26-1, 5-13), getting to within one run thanks to a three-run home run by Lindsay Wasek.

The fourth inning belonged to Villanova, as they blew the game open with six runs to take an 11-3 lead.

Villanova opened the sixth with four consecutive singles to plate one run. Syracuse (21-30, 9-11) looked to be out of the inning with just one run scored, but the first baseman couldn't handle a throw from shortstop on a ball hit by Eryn Teague that allowed two more runs to score.

Maggie Seidel kept the inning alive with an RBI single to give the `Cats a 9-3 lead. Lisa Curran put the finishing touches on the inning with a deep drive over the fence in right center field for an 11-3 lead.

Nicci Ward (4-7) had all the offensive support she would need, holding the Orange scoreless over the final three innings to get the five inning complete game victory. Her final line showed she allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits with four strikeouts

Villanova will finish out the regular season at home next week with three doubleheaders scheduled. First will be a twinbill with local rival Temple on Tuesday starting at 3:00 PM. The Wildcats will then host DePaul on Saturday and Notre Dame on Sunday to wrap up BIG EAST play.

WEEKEND NOTES

With her two-run homer in game two against Syracuse, Lisa Curran put a very nice cap on a tremendous weekend at the plate, going 5-6 with four runs scored, a home run and five RBI...Cassie Koenig and Sheri Donley also drove in five runs over the weekend...Maggie Seidel started three of the four games and made the most of it, collecting four hits and scoring five runs...In game two of the doubleheader on Saturday at Pittsburgh, freshman Eryn Teague made her first pitching appearance of the year...she went 0.1 of an inning with a walk and two wild pitches that allowed an unearned run to score...