March 1, 2000

Miami, Fla. -- Villanova softball continued its spring break tour in Florida at Florida International University today. The Wildcats were barely beaten in the first game, 1-0, when FIU scored the game's only run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the 'Cats came back to narrowly earn the win in the second contest, 2-1. The split brings Villanova's record to 5-5 this season, with all five losses coming by a single run.

The day's first game was an incredible pitching duel between the two teams as Villanova's Keri Stoller pitched all six and two-thirds innings, allowing only two hits and striking out nine. However, the Villanova bats struggled all game long as the 'Cats managed only three hits of their own and failed to score a run. Finally, in the bottom of the seventh inning, FIU manufactured an unearned run with two outs to hand Stoller and Villanova the frustrating 1-0 loss.

Game two was yet another well pitched ballgame by both squads. This time it was freshman Teresa Hornick on the mound for the Wildcats. The first-year hurler was strong all game long as she struck out nine hitters to earn the complete game victory. Hornick gave up only a single unearned run and four hits en route to the win. At the plate for Villanova, another freshman, Sara Carlson, came up huge as she drove in her team's only two runs of the game with a double in the third inning. Villanova managed just six hits of its own, but it was enough to gain the 2-1 victory.

Villanova will now travel to Ft. Myers to face the University of Buffalo in doubleheader action on Saturday, March 4.

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