Softball

Smetana Grand Slam Powers Wildcats to Tournament Championship Game

March 24, 2012

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Freshman Beth Smetana broke open a one run game with a grand slam in the top of the fifth as Villanova (18-6) defeated Rider (8-17-1) by a score of 5-1 in the Penn Spring Invitational at the University of Pennsylvania. Senior designated player Molly Manningalso homered for the Wildcats. The win secures the Wildcats a spot in the tournament championship against Penn on Sunday at 2:15. The Wildcats will look to avenge a 3-1 defeat at the hand of the Quakers on Friday.

Villanova was looking to snap out of an offensive slump in the top of the first when junior catcher Amanda Marquez led off with a walk, but Villanova was unable to generate any further offense in their half of the frame. Senior pitcher Caitlyn Delahaba(10-4) got the ball for Villanova and she faced an early threat. She surrendered a lead-off single, but erased the runner on a fielder's choice. A stolen base put a runner in scoring position, but Delahaba got a fly out and ground out to end the frame.

In the second, Villanova again generated base runners, but came up empty on the scoreboard. Manning had her first hit of the day on a single down the left field line with one out, and advanced to second when freshman Briana Fujiireached on an error. However, the Wildcats again ran into some bad luck when Smetana smashed a line drive to third and Manning was doubled off to end the top of the second. For Rider in the second, they had their first two runners reach on singles, but Delahaba rose to challenge and struck out the next two hitters before getting a fielder's choice to end the inning as the score remained 0-0 after two.

The Wildcats had more baserunners in the third inning when Marquez, senior left fielder Taylor Olafson, and junior first baseman Valerie Ortega hit three straight singles with two outs to load the bases, but senior third baseman Kristi Burlinwent down on strikes to end the inning. Delahaba didn't let the Broncos develop any momentum however when she sent them down in order to end the third.

After having so many runners reach base and not scoring, Manning ensured the Wildcats would score when she struck her second home run of the season to lead-off the inning and put Villanova in front 1-0 after three and a half. Rider had just one runner reach in their half of the fourth, but Delahaba had back-to-back pop outs to end the inning as Villanova held a lead heading to the late innings.

Villanova went down in order for the first time all game in the top of the fifth, and the Broncos had a lead off bunt single, but were unable to get any more runners when Delahaba picked off a runner at first base for the final out.

The Wildcats finally broke through in a big way in the top of the sixth on one swing of the bat. Ortega led off with a walk, and following a pop out, Manning and Fujii both walked as well to load the bases. That's when Smetana stepped into the box and delivered a big grand slam to put Villanova up 5-0. It was her second home run of the season and Villanova's second grand slam of the season as Briana Fujiihad one herself against South Dakota State on March 3.

In the bottom of the sixth, Rider got on the board after a one-out single followed by a double to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Delahaba did a good job minimizing the damage by surrendering a groundout which scored a run, but essentially killed the rally. A pop-out ended the frame with the Wildcats in front 5-1.

Manning had a two-out walk in the seventh to put a runner on base, but Villanova was unable to push across any more insurance runs. Manning reached base all four times in the game. Delahaba cruised therough the final inning with a strikeout, a groundout back to the mound, and a line out. Villanova secured their first win of the season and advance to the championship game of the weekend tournament against Penn.

Delahaba finished off the game with five strikeouts, no walks and gave up just six hits.

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Players Mentioned

Briana Fujii

#10 Briana Fujii

2B/3B
Freshman
Beth Smetana

#14 Beth Smetana

C/OF
Freshman
Taylor Olafson

#1 Taylor Olafson

Outfield/Second Base
Freshman
Caitlyn Delahaba

#5 Caitlyn Delahaba

P
Sophomore
Valerie Ortega

#12 Valerie Ortega

Shortstop/UT
Freshman
Kristi Burlin

#13 Kristi Burlin

3B
Sophomore
Amanda Marquez

#17 Amanda Marquez

Catcher
Freshman
Molly Manning

#21 Molly Manning

P
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Briana Fujii

#10 Briana Fujii

Freshman
2B/3B
Beth Smetana

#14 Beth Smetana

Freshman
C/OF
Taylor Olafson

#1 Taylor Olafson

Freshman
Outfield/Second Base
Caitlyn Delahaba

#5 Caitlyn Delahaba

Sophomore
P
Valerie Ortega

#12 Valerie Ortega

Freshman
Shortstop/UT
Kristi Burlin

#13 Kristi Burlin

Sophomore
3B
Amanda Marquez

#17 Amanda Marquez

Freshman
Catcher
Molly Manning

#21 Molly Manning

Sophomore
P