March 10, 2013
Box Score
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Villanova (8-7) ended their time at USF Under Armour Showcase in Clearwater, Fla. on a high note with a 7-1 victory over Boston University Sunday morning. The Wildcats showed a strong performance, but their five hits and five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning gave them the necessary edge to pull the victory over the Terriers.
The Wildcats defensive efforts through all seven innings shut down the Terriers. Boston University managed to score their sole run of the game in the sixth inning. Pitcher Kate Poppe (Downingtown, Pa.) pitched another great game as she struck out five batters and walked none.
But it was Villanova's hot bats that lifted the `Cats to the 7-1 win. The Wildcats were able to score one run in the bottom of the first inning as Valerie Ortega (Ventura, Calif.) registered a double to right field, bringing home Shea Palmer (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and giving Villanova the early 1-0 lead. They would strike again in the bottom of the third inning with singles from Shea Palmer and Amanda Marquez (Miami, Fla). Palmer would score on a throwing error.
Villanova found its offensive intensity in the bottom of the fifth inning as the team pulled off five hits and five runs. Taylor Olafson (Jacksonville, Fla.) started things off with a single through the left side followed by a single to left field from Shea Palmer. Olafson and Palmer stole third and second base, respectively, and Ali Lowe (West Palm Beach, Fla.) walked, setting up Villanova for a bases loaded situation. Amanda Marquez's sacrificial bunt earned her an RBI, and Valerie Ortega also notched an RBI in the inning. Beth Smetana (San Diego Calif.) and Sierra McConnell (Katy, Texas) notched back-to-back doubles brining home two more runners. Briana Fujii (San Jose, Calif.) had the final hit of the inning with a single to right field. The Wildcats would now hold a 7-0 lead over the Terriers.
Villanova would go scoreless in the sixth, but would come out the victors in the morning matchup with the 7-1 win.
The Wildcats head to Delaware next weekend for their final tournament play at the Delaware Spring Invitational.
