April 25, 2004
Final Stats
VILLANOVA, PA. - The Villanova softball team rebounded from two losses to Notre Dame a day earlier by beating Syracuse on Sunday, 2-0 and 3-1 at the Villanova Softball Field. Kristen Haynes and Shannon Williams picked up the victories in the circle, while Allie Wisniewski led the offense by going 3-for-6 with a run scored.
Villanova head coach Maria DiBernardi switched up the pitching rotation, starting Haynes in game one, and the junior responded by pitching seven shutout innings, scattering four hits, walking none and striking out eight. She was forced to pitch through a heavy rain for a majority of the afternoon.
The Wildcats got all the offense they would need in the bottom of the fourth. Wisniewski singled to start the frame, and then on a ground ball off the bat of Ricci Lugo, Syracuse third basemen Erin Gray threw the ball into centerfield trying to get Wisniewski out on the force. Kari Koller sacrificed the runners into scoring position, and 'Nova's No. 5 hitter, Sarah Wall, came through with a line drive up the middle to score Wisniewski and Lugo, putting the 'Cats ahead 2-0.
In the seventh, Haynes gave up a pair of hits and then allowed the runners to advance to second and third on a wild pitch with one out, but worked out of trouble with a pair of strikeouts to secure her 10th win of the season. Courtney Mosch took the loss for the 'Cuse.
In game two, the Orangewomen got on the board early against Williams, scoring a run on two hits in the first inning. But VU responded with a three spot, sending eight batters to the plate against starter Haley Larsen. The Wildcats scored on a single by Lugo, a wild pitch and an error. Syracuse made six errors on the day, while Villanova was perfect in the field for the sixth consecutive game.
Williams settled down for her 17th win of the season and 18th complete game. She surrendered six hits, walked one and fanned seven. Wisniewski and Lugo had two hits apiece in the nightcap.
Several Villanova softball alums were in attendance to watch a ceremony in between games that celebrated DiBernardi's 500th career win, which came on Feb. 21 of this season against Samford.
Syracuse fell to 19-23 on the season with the setbacks, and also dropped to 3-7 in the Big East. Villanova is 27-18, 11-5 in conference action.
The Wildcats will wrap up their 14-game home stand on Thursday, Apr. 29 at 3:00 p.m. against Princeton.
