April 7, 2010
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA - Mary Pat Conville went 3-for-3 with two RBI to lift the Explorers to a 7-1 victory over Delaware State in the nightcap of a non-conference doubleheader at West Campus Field on Wednesday. The Explorers fell 6-0 in the first game. With the split, the Explorers move to 8-16 while the Hornets are now 15-12.
Conville went a total of 4-for-6 on the day, followed by Ali Shepherd with a 3-for-7 day with three RBI.
The Explorers broke through in the bottom of the third inning. Conville registered a one-out single to the third base. She came home two batters later when Heather Brabazon lofted the ball to left field, which was misplayed by Hornet left fielder Jordan Reid.
The Hornets tied up the game in the next frame as Andrea Waters doubled and scored on a Rachel Carroll double. However, the tie was short-lived with the Explorers exploding for five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Tristan Musho ripped a leadoff single up the middle and advanced on a Liz Reed bunt single. Gina Massaro then loaded the bases by drawing a walk, setting up a prime situation for Ali Shepherd. Shepherd took advantage of the runners on base and blasted a bases-clearing double to left center to put the Explorers up 4-1.
Shepherd then advanced to third on a passed ball and crossed home plate on a Conville single to center. Conville advanced to third on the play thanks to a fielding miscue by Waters in center. Bisbiglia followed up with a single to left, which scored Conville for the inning's fifth run.
The Explorers tacked on one more run in the fifth inning when Conville drew a bases-loaded walk for the final 7-1 score.
Massaro earned the 'W' in the pitcher's circle after hurling a complete game effort. She struck out eight, scattered four hits and walked none while 68 of her 92 pitches went for strikes. Amber Coburn suffered the loss for the Hornets, pitching a total of 4.1 innings after starting and then re-entering late in the game. Coburn gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits, struck out five and walked three. Casey Beighly pitched 1.2 innings in middle relief, giving up two runs on two hits, striking out two and walking three.
The first game of the day started as a pitcher's duel between Explorer hurler Kristen Paoletti and Hornet game one starter Waters before the Hornets scored all six of their runs in the top of the fourth. Shepherd led the Explorers with a 2-for-4 outing at the plate. The Explorers had several great looks in game one with hard-hit line drives, but the Hornet defense prevented any capitalization on those hard hit balls.
The Explorers return to action on Sunday (4/11) when they host Saint Louis in an Atlantic 10 doubleheader starting at noon.
