April 17, 2004
Final Stats
VILLANOVA, PA. - Villanova outlasted Boston College, 1-0 in 10 innings behind a complete game shutout from ace Shannon Williams in game one of a Big East doubleheader on a warm and sunny Saturday at the Villanova Softball Field. Sarah Wall's single in the bottom of the 10th won it for the 'Cats, who would go on to drop a 1-0 decision in game two.
Williams was masterful, walking none and striking out 12 while scattering six hits in improving to 14-8 on the year. On two occasions, in the fourth and sixth innings, Boston College put runners in scoring position with less than two outs, but each time Williams turned the Eagles away.
Villanova saw a couple of chances to win the game earlier taken away as well. In the sixth inning, Allie Wisniewski was robbed of an RBI hit on a diving catch by BC centerfielder Jacqui Goodchild. Then in the ninth, with two outs and runners on first and third, Robin Flier sent a line drive straight up the middle, which hit off pitcher Tekae Malandris. Second baseman Jenna Macchi picked the ball up, and her throw to first was just in time to get Flier and extend the game another inning.
But Krissy Yauch and Ricci Lugo singled to open the 10th, and after Kari Koller was caught looking at strike three, Wall lined a pitch into left field for the game-winner. Yauch came home easily, as the Wildcats finally cashed in after leaving 12 runners on base for the game.
In addition to a hard fought 10 innings, game one also provided some history for the Villanova Softball program. Lugo's single in the 10th, her second hit of the game, was the 200th hit of her illustrious Wildcat career. Robin Flier, who extended her current hitting streak to 12 games with a pair of singles on the afternoon, joined the 200 hit club on Saturday, Apr. 10 in a road game against Rutgers. Flier's team-leading batting average is now up to .371.
The seniors from California are currently looking up at Megan O'Leary, whose 208 hits are fifth all-time at VU.
Flier's game two single was one of only three that Villanova managed off BC's Michelle Daly, who in addition to hurling a complete game shutout, also went 2-for-3 at the plate. Kimmy Hopkin also went 2-for-3 for the Eagles, and scored the game's lone run in the first inning on Elyse Meredith's sacrifice fly.
Haynes would settle down after the first, giving up seven hits in the complete game effort. She walked none and struck out four in falling to 6-7 on the season.
Overall, 'Nova is now 20-15, and 8-2 in the league. Boston College is 25-17, 5-5 in the Big East.
Villanova is back home on Sunday, Apr. 18, for a doubleheader with Connecticut at 12:00 p.m. Both games can once again be heard on villanova.com via live Yahoo audiocast.
