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March 3, 2004

Game notes for the Villanova softball team's trip to the University of South Florida for the 2004 Speedline Invitational. The 'Cats (5-6) will play six games in four days, beginning with UNLV on Thursday, March 4 at 1:00 p.m.

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THE NOTEBOOK

'Cats Salvage Houston Trip with Sunday Sweep

Things were not looking good for the Villanova softball team at the University of Houston last weekend. After defeating BYU to open their portion of the tournament, Villanova was soundly beaten by Mississippi State and Houston (a combined 11-1 score), dropping the record to 3-6 on the year. But the 'Cats came out ready to play on Sunday, handing conference rival Pittsburgh an 8-0 drubbing, and then rallying for two runs in the seventh inning to defeat Virginia, 3-2, in a game that was originally scheduled for Friday. Offensively, 'Nova was led by junior Kristen Yauch and freshman Sheri Donley, who combined to go 8-for-16 with six runs scored and six RBI in Villanova's three victories.

One Last Stop

The Villanova softball team, after playing tournaments in Chattanooga, Tenn. and Houston, Texas, will make one more stop - Tampa, Fla. for the Speedline Invitational - before coming home to the Philadelphia area. The Wildcats will play six games over four days, against the likes of UNLV, Illinois, Western Michigan, Hofstra, Tennessee Tech and a team to be determined on the campus of the University of South Florida. Following participation in the Speedline Invitational, the 'Cats will have a week to prepare for the 2004 home opener - a Sunday doubleheader between 'Nova and Cornell at 12:00 p.m. on March 14 at the Villanova Softball Field.

Doing it with Defense

One key to Villanova's turnaround in Houston was its team defense. The 'Cats committed just one error over the final 25 innings of play at the Hyatt Regency Cougar Classic, after committing seven errors in the first six games of the season. On the year, the Wildcats have committed three errors in their five wins compared to six errors in their six losses. 'Nova currently ranks in a tie for fourth place in the Big East Conference with a .970 team fielding percentage.

Flying High

Senior left fielder Robin Flier seems to have found a rhythm after opening the season with an 0-for-4 performance against Western Kentucky. Since that game, Flier has hit safely in 10 consecutive games, raising her season batting average to .353 with one run scored, five RBI, two doubles, three walks and a stolen base. And as usual, Flier has been perfect in the field on her first 12 chances of the year. The 'Cats are 5-5 over the last 10 games, in which Flier is hitting .400 (12-for-30).

Williams a Winner

The way things have gone so far this season, if the Wildcats are going to win games at the Speedline Classic, it will be because junior Shannon Williams is on the mound. The right-hander owns a 5-2 record on the season, while the 'Cats as a team are 5-6. Williams has done a majority of the work in the circle for Villanova, starting seven games and appearing in nine. For the year, she has thrown 47.2 innings, allowing 14 runs (13 earned) on 34 hits, to go along with 37 strikeouts and just 10 walks. Opponents are hitting a paltry .199 against her. The 47.2 innings represents 65.6% of the innings thrown by Villanova pitchers this season. The other 34.4% has been split between junior Kristen Haynes and freshman Tiffany Ross.

Check Out Live Coverage of Villanova/UNLV

Those who are unable to make the trip down to Tampa, Fla. for the Speedline Invitational will be able to follow live stats of Villanova's first game of the tournament via Gametracker. To access Gametracker, go to www.villanova.com, and in the upcoming events box on the right hand side, scroll down to softball and click on the Gametracker link. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 4.

Wildcats Picked Second in Preseason Poll

The Villanova softball team was tabbed for second place in the conference by a vote of the league's head coaches. The 'Cats lost three seniors (Sara Carlson, Theresa Hornick, Kriste Romano) from a team that finished third in the league's regular season standings last year and advanced to the title game of the annual conference tournament. The Wildcats received 83 points and three first place votes in the poll, second only to defending champion Notre Dame.

2004 Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll

Team			Points
1.  Notre Dame (8)	95
2.  Villanova (3)		83
3.  Boston College	74
4.  Seton Hall (1)		70
5.  St. John's		55
     Virginia Tech		55
7.  Syracuse		50
8.  Connecticut		48
9.  Rutgers		43
10. Pittsburgh		20
11. Providence		12