April 9, 2002

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

VILLANOVA, PA. ----- The Villanova softball team improved to 24-6 on the year after sweeping the visiting Bucknell Bison in a non-conference double-header at Villanova Softball Field on Tuesday, April 9. The Wildcats took advantage of several Bison miscues to pave the way to victory. Villanova opened the double-header scoring eight runs on 10 hits and four Bucknell errors to collect the 8-0 shutout. Fighting off a steady rain in game two, the Wildcats escaped with a 1-0 victory scoring the only run on a wild pitch.

Game #1: Bucknell 0, VILLANOVA 8
In the first inning of game one, the Bison threatened to score in the top of the first inning loading the bases with two outs. After pitcher Theresa Hornick (Edmonds, Wash.) struck out the first two batters of the game, Bucknell right fielder Erin Doyle (Wayne, Pa.) hit a ground ball through the left side but was thrown out at first by Villanova's right fielder for the third out of the inning.

With two outs in the bottom half of the first inning, Villanova rallied to score two runs to take a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Lisa Krueger (Mission Viejo, Calif.) reached base on a Bucknell error and Sara Carlson (Langley, B.C.) followed with an RBI double off the left field fence plating the Wildcats first run of the game. On the next at bat, Allison Wisniewski (Smithtown, N.Y.) singled up the middle allowing Carlson to score to push the lead to 2-0. Both runs were unearned.

Villanova added another to its lead in the bottom of the third inning on a bases loaded, sacrifice fly by Carlson scoring. Carlson's second RBI of the game scored catcher Kriste Romano (Mesa, Ariz.), who led off the inning with a walk.

In the fourth inning the Wildcats once again took advantage of three Bison errors to score two runs. A sacrifice fly by Villanova first baseman Heather Garboden (Beaverton, Ore.) accounted for the Wildcats fourth run of the game. Freshman Krissy Yauch (Tucson, Ariz.) scored the second run of the inning on an error.

Villanova ended the game in the bottom of the fifth inning with three runs extending its lead to 8-0. Seniors Karen Niwinski (Newtown, Pa.) and Garboden each had RBI singles in the inning.

Hornick and Kristen Haynes (Fairfax, Calif.) combined to pitch a two-hit shutout. In four innings of work, Hornick allowed only one hit and struck out five to collect her 12th victory of the season. Haynes pitched one inning of scoreless relief. For Bucknell Lauren Box (Malvern, Pa.) threw 4 1/3 innings allowing four earned runs as she falls to 2-6 on the year.

Offensively Villanova exploded for 10 base hits led by Niwinski's 3-for-3 performance at the plate with two runs and one RBI and Carlson's two hit, two runs and two RBI outing. Krueger extended her hit streak to nine games with a single up the middle in the third inning.

Game #2: Bucknell 0, Villanova 1
The Wildcats scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the second inning on a wild pitch. Carlson led off the inning with a single up the middle and Niwinski walked to start inning. Haynes' sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third with one out. Carlson scored on a wild pitch with two outs.

Freshman Shannon Williams (Allentown, Pa.) earned her sixth victory of the season pitching a complete game shutout while striking out 10 Bison batters. For Bucknell, junior Beth Porter (Prospect Park, Pa.) threw six complete innings allowing only two Wildcat hits. Porter falls to 3-9 on the year.

Villanova will be back in action tomorrow, April 10, with a non-conference double-header against area-rival Drexel. The first game will begin at 3:00 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.