April 14, 2002

Box Score - Game #1
Box Score - Game #2

BLACKSBURG, VA.. ----- In what was arguably the most important series of the season for the Villanova softball team, the Wildcats swept Virginia Tech Sunday afternoon in a Big East double-header. The Wildcats took game one, 3-2, led by a two RBI from junior Sara Carlson (Langley, B.C.). A Karen Niwinski (Newtown, Pa.) three-run home run in the sixth inning allowed the Wildcats to escape game two with a 4-2 victory and the sweep. With the two victories, Villanova improves to 31-7 on the year, 7-3 in the Big East as Virginia Tech falls to 28-13 overall, 5-5 in conference play.

Game #1: VILLANOVA 3, Virginia Tech 2
The Wildcats wasted little time in game one as they grabbed hold of a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Shortstop Ricci Lugo (San Clemente, Calif.) led off with a double to left-centerfield, and advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt. With one out, Carlson recorded her first RBI of the game on a single to left field, plating Lugo.

Villanova added to its lead in the third inning on another Carlson RBI-single. Lugo led off the inning with a single, and scored the second run of the game on Carlson's 24th RBI of the season.

In the sixth inning, Niwinski singled home freshman Allison Wisniewski (Smithtown, N.Y.) with one out to push the 'Cats advantage to 3-0. Wisniewski led off the inning with a double.

Trailing 3-0 Virginia Tech rallied and nearly pulled off a come-from-behind victory scoring two runs in the seventh inning. Starting pitcher Theresa Hornick (Edmonds, Wash.) reentered the game to get the final out for the Wildcats with the bases loaded. Hornick earned the victory on the mound, threw 5 2/3 innings, and allowed only one hit before being relieved in the sixth inning by Kristen Haynes (Fairfax, Calif).

Game #2: VILLANOVA 4, Virginia Tech 2
Villanova scored the first run of game two in the fourth inning with two outs. After the first two batters grounded out, Carlson singled up the middle and scored from first on an RBI-double by Wisniewski, her eighth double of the season.

Virginia Tech responded in the bottom half of the fourth inning with a two-run homer to center field by Courtney Brinkman. Brinkman's home run was the only hit for the Hokies in game two.

Trailing 2-1 entering the sixth inning, Niwinski hit her first home run of the season with two outs and two runners on base to give a 4-2 lead.

Villanova pitcher Shannon Williams (Allentown, Pa.) carried the momentum into the sixth and seventh innings retiring the final six batters she faced to improve to 9-1 on the year. Williams relieved Hornick in the fifth inning and the two combined to throw a one-hitter.

Villanova will be back in action on Tuesday, April 16, when they host La Salle in a non-conference double-header. The first pitch will be at 2:30 p.m. at Villanova Softball Field.

For more information regarding the Villanova softball, please contact Media Relations Assistant, Kevin Fischer, at 610.519.6460 or via email at kevin.fischer@villanova.edu.