March 31, 2010
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle softball team paid a midweek visit to city foe Penn on Wednesday, falling in both ends of the high-slugging doubleheader by scores of 9-6 and 6-4. The Explorers fall to 7-11, while the Quakers move to 5-12.
The two squads combined for 37 hits on the day and 25 runs, including eight doubles, two triples and three home runs. Ali Shepherd led the Explorer offense with a 3-for-6 showing at the plate with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Shannon Skomorucha went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in game two and DJ Guinn added a pinch hit home run in the nightcap. Mary Pat Conville added a 3-for-4 performance in game one with a double and two runs scored.
The Explorers jumped on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning of game one as Gina Massaro drew a walk to reach base, then stole second and subsequently scored on an error by Quaker shortstop Stephanie Caso. The Quakers responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning on a two-run home run by Alisha Prystowsky.
After a scoreless second inning, the Explorers tabbed Quaker starter Cailyn Hennessy for two more runs to regain the lead at 3-2. With one out, Shepherd sailed a double to left center followed by a Conville single up the middle. Angelina Bisbiglia added two more RBI to her team-high total (18) by ripping a double down the left field line to score both Shepherd and Conville.
The Quakers responded once again with six runs in the bottom of the third to take an 8-3 lead before the Explorers rallied in the top of the fifth with three runs to close the deficit to 8-6. The first three Explorers in the inning reached safely, kickstarted by Massaro's bunt single to lead off the inning. Shepherd then sent a single through the left side and Conville reached on a Hennessy error. One out later, Erica Vile hit a sacrifice fly to score Massaro for the inning's first run. Shepherd came in for the second run on a double steal by her and Conville, and Conville then scored on a single to center by Tristan Musho.
The final score was attained in the bottom of the fifth when the Quakers added one more run on a Caso RBI triple.
Laura Beth McCreesh suffered the loss in the pitcher's circle. She went two innings before Guinn came on in relief to pitch the final four. Guinn gave up two runs on five hits, struck out six and issued one walk. Hennessy earned the win for the Quakers, pitching a complete game and giving up six runs on 11 hits, striking out three and walking one.
The Explorers earned the first run of the second game as well, breaking up a scoreless game with one run in the top of the third inning and another in the top of the fourth. Laura Gallagher blasted a lead-off single to center field and advanced on a Liz Reed bunt single. Massaro followed up with another bunt for hit to load the bases with no outs. Shepherd flied out to left field but earned the sacrifice when Gallagher tagged up and came home.
Skomorucha added the second Explorer run in the next inning when she sent the ball sailing over the left field fence for a solo home run.
The Quaker offense, which had been limited to three scattered hits so far, woke up in the bottom of the fifth inning to score four runs to go ahead. They added two more in the sixth.
The Explorers mounted a rally in the top of the seventh, bringing in two runs but ultimately fell 6-4. Heather Brabazon reached on an error by Quaker first baseman Susan Miller. Guinn came in to pinch hit and made the most of it by blasting a two-run home run.
Kristen Paoletti worked 4.2 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking two. Massaro pitched 1.1 innings in relief. Taylor Tieman pitched for the Quakers, going all seven innings and giving up four runs on seven hits and striking out four.
The Explorers have a quick turnaround as they return to conference play on Thursday, hosting No. 23 Massachusetts for a 3:00 PM doubleheader.
