Philadelphia, Pa. – After a hard-fought game, Villanova came out on top 8-7 against the La Salle Explorers.

Paige Rauch opened the scoring for the Wildcats after hitting a double to left center. She then advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.

Anissa Amarillas started on the mound today for Villanova and went four innings allowing six runs, but just two of them were earned. She helped herself out in the second inning hitting a single that scored Julia DaCosta to put the Cats up 2-0. Rauch then launched her ninth home run of the year to left center to boost the lead to three.

La Salle scored twice in the third inning to cut the lead to 3-2, but DaCosta would hit her eighth home run of the season to deep right field to get a run right back in the top of the fourth.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Explorers were able to get four and take a 6-4 lead. The inning was capped off with a two out, two run single.

After the Wildcats were held scoreless in the top of the fifth, Sara Kennedy came in and pitched a scoreless bottom of the inning to keep Villanova in striking distance.

Caroline Jones led off the top of the sixth with a double and then would advance to third on a wild pitch. Ryan Henry was the next batter up and hit a sac fly to trim the lead to one. After an out, Jordan Olivarez would deliver a clutch pinch hit single to left. Sydney Hayes would pinch run for her and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Angela Giampolo then came up and walked while Hayes advanced to third on another wild pitch. Rauch then came up and ripped a line drive that nearly missed Giampolo on the base paths. Hayes would score and Giampolo would end up coming into score after the ball bounced off the right fielder.
Rauch then came in and pitched a scoreless sixth bringing the Wildcats back up to the plate. They got some insurance from Jones when she hit a sac fly scoring Delaney Switzer. After Switzer's single to lead off the inning, her and Rauch both extended their hitting streaks to six in the game.

Trailing by two in the bottom of the seventh, the Explorers would hit a solo home run, but that would be all they could get as Villanova would pick up their 16^th win on the season.

Softball will be back in action this weekend against the Butler Bulldogs. It will be a three-game series with two of them being played on Saturday beginning at noon, and Sunday's matchup will also be at noon.