Villanova Softball Sweeps Non-Conference Doubleheader From Blue Hens, 8-0 and 5-4
March 27, 2012
• Game 1 Boxscore
• Game 2 Boxscore
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Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell
VILLANOVA, Pa. -- The Villanova University softball team posted an 8-0 six-inning victory in the opener and a 5-4 win during the nightcap as the Wildcats swept a non-conference doubleheader from the University of Delaware Tuesday afternoon at the VU Softball Field.
The Wildcats (21-6) took the early lead in the opener when Molly Manning doubled to centerfield to drive home Jamie O’Hara in the bottom of the first inning. The Blue Hens (5-27-1) looked to answer back in the top of the second when they had runners on second and third with one out thanks to singles by Michelle McKinnon and Kaitlyn Breneman (at right), but Villanova pitcher Caitlyn Delahaba then struck out Marisa Newman and Brittney Noons to keep Delaware off the board.
Villanova had runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the third, but Brianna Jennings replaced Chenxi Jiao in the circle for Delaware and retired the next two Wildcat batters to keep it a one-run game. However Villanova added a pair of runs in the fifth, as O’Hara singled home Tessa Braga and then came around to score on an RBI single by Valerie Ortega.
The Wildcats then tacked on another run in the sixth when Beth Smetana led off with a triple to leftfield and pinch runner Shannon O’Brien scored on a two-out single up the middle by Ali Lowe. Following an infield single by Braga, Randi Josett delivered an RBI single up the middle to make it a five-run game. Then after Elise Alvarado singled home a pair of runs, she came around to score on a double by Ortega that ended the game due to the mercy rule.
Delahaba went the distance for Villanova, allowing just two hits and striking out six while improving to 11-4 on the season. Jiao fell to 1-12 for the Blue Hens after surrendering one run in 1.2 frames, while Jennings was charged with seven runs in 3.1 innings of work.
The Wildcats picked up where they left off during the nightcap, quickly loading the bases with nobody out in the first inning before Manning single up the middle to drive home two runs. Smetana followed with a sacrifice fly to center, chasing home Ortega as Villanova jumped out to a 3-0 lead through one inning.
However the Blue Hens immediately responded with a four-run explosion during the top of the second. Breneman doubled to leftcenter with one out, while an infield single by Newman put runners on the corners. Hannah Rust then delivered an RBI single to plate Breneman, while Rachel Jones (at left) followed with an RBI double to rightcenter to drive home pinch runner Maggie Creciun. One out later Alicea Coy ripped a two-run double to leftcenter, giving Delaware a 4-3 lead.
Villanova answered back in the bottom of the frame as Lowe led off with a single up the middle, went to second on an infield single by Braga, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored when O’Hara reached on an error by Blue Hen third baseman Jess Grisler.
The game remained knotted at 4-4 until the bottom of the fifth, when O’Hara led off with a bunt single and moved to second on the play on a wild throw by Grisler. Ortega then ripped a single down the rightfield line, chasing home O’Hara with the go-ahead run.
The Blue Hens attempted to rally in the seventh when Jones doubled down the rightfield line with two outs, but Manning retired Grisler on a flyout to center to end the game.
Manning improved to 9-2 after allowing four runs on eight hits, while Jiao also took the loss in the second game for UD and dropped to 1-13 despite giving up just one run in five innings of relief.
Delaware returns to Colonial Athletic Association play on Saturday when the Blue Hens host George Mason in a 12 noon doubleheader at the Delaware Softball Stadium.
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