March 23, 1998

VILLANOVA, Pa. - After four consecutive rainouts, the Villanova softball team finally resumed their schedule on Monday, March 23 at the Villanova Softball Field, splitting two with Temple University. The Wildcats took the first game from the Owls 6-5 scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh, but lost the second game to their cross-town rivals 3-1.

Villanova got off the a quick start in the day's first game, taking a 4-2 lead after four innings and a 5-3 lead after six complete. Temple came back, however, with two runs of their own in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game at seven.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Wildcats showed their magic once again. Senior Kelli McCoy (Endicott, N.Y./ Union Endicott) reached on a walk, but was forced out at second when fellow senior Kelly Sparks (San Diego, Calif./ Univ. of San Diego) reached first on a fielders choice. Sophomore Megan O'Leary (Natick, Mass./ Natick) then hit a double, advancing Sparks to third base. Pinch-running for Sparks, freshman Gina Defrancesco(Ardmore, Pa./ Haverford) scored on a past ball to give Villanova a 6-5 victory and improve their record to 10-6.

Leading the Villanova offense in the victory was O'Leary, who went three-for-four with two runs scored on the day. On the mound for the Wildcats, freshman Keri Stoller (West Linn, Ore./ West Linn) pitched six strong innings striking out five batters, before being releaved by senior Jennifer Cornelius (Darnestown, Md./ Quince Orchard) who got the victory to push her record to 2-2.

In the day's second game, Temple scored two first inning runs and held off a late Villanova rally attempt to earn a 3-1 victory. In the loss, senior Jessica DeLuca (Roselle Park, N.J./ Roselle Park) went two-for-three with a stolen base and one run scored. On the mound for the Cats, senior Carrie Walpole (Miami, Fla./ Ransom Everglades), picked up her first loss of the season (4-1) despite giving up just one earned run over six innings and striking out four. With the loss, Villanova's record drops to 10-7.

The Wildcats will remain at home to resume play, as they host Monmouth on Wednesday, March 25 at 2:30 p.m.