March 15, 2014

Final Stats

NEWARK, Del. - Following a shutout victory over Robert Morris, the Villanova softball team dropped its fourth one run game of the season after Cornell edged the Wildcats 2-1 Saturday afternoon at the Delaware Softball Diamond.

The Big Red jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the first, which is all they would need as Meg Parker controlled the Villanova attack for much of the game. After Kaity Sitzman surrendered back-to-back walks with two outs, Christina Villalon doubled to center field to drive in two runs.

In the top of the third, Parker hit a leadoff double for Cornell, which chased Sitzman from the mound. Poppe would relieve her and strand the runner on third after recording three outs in a row, including back-to-back strikeouts.

In the latter half of the third, the Wildcats would put pressure on Parker. Jessica Angersbach was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. With one out, Ali Lowe launched a double to left center to put runners in scoring position. Shea Palmer would draw a walk to load the bases with one out. Parker would buckle down and get the next two batters on a strikeout followed by a fielder's choice ground ball to third base.

The Wildcats would put a run on the board in the fourth. After two quick outs to begin the inning, Kate Poppe singled to left center to get something going. Angersbach then notched a single to left center to drive in Poppe for her first career RBI.

Poppe dominated the Big Red bats the rest of the game, finishing with six strikeouts, no runs and only three hits in five innings of work. Sitzman allowed two runs on three hits in two innings on the bump, falling to 1-4 on the season.

Parker collected her third win of the season for Cornell. The sophomore finished with seven strikeouts and allowed five hits in seven innings in the circle.

The Wildcats will wrap up their tournament schedule tomorrow with a doubleheader against Robert Morris and Delaware.