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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Wednesday afternoon's matchup between Big 5 rivals La Salle and Villanova promised to be quite the pitchers duel. The game lived up the billing, but unfortunately for the Explorers, the Wildcats were able to come up with the clutch hits to take home the 4-0 victory. Villanova limited the Explorers to just six hits over seven frames.
 
The Explorers (12-14; 4-2 A-10) knew they faced a difficult task in creating offense against the parsimonious Villanova pitching staff. The Wildcats entered Wednesday with a fantastic 2.45 team earned run average. The Cats starting pitcher Kate Poppe entered with an even stingier 2.19 earned run average on the season. Poppe (W, 7-17) stifled the Explorers to the tune of five hits over six strong innings, while fanning five, to score the victory.
 
 La Salle sent their own ace to the pitching circle. Alicia Aughton (L, 7-7) went three innings, getting tagged for five hits and two earned runs, while striking out one.
 
The Blue and Gold threatened to get on the board early, pushing runners into scoring position during the first two frames. The Explorers loaded the bases in the home half of the second with the top of the order due up. However, Poppe was able to strike out Michelle Hagarty and force Marisa Kinneer into a groundout to get out of the inning unscathed.
 
The Wildcats (11-22) carried the momentum into the top of the third. They got runners on second and third with one out, setting the table for Lauren Herschberg, who doubled into the right centerfield gap to stake Villanova to the 2-0 lead.
 
The Explorers turned the ball over to Mary Cate Scott in the fourth. She pitched strongly in keeping La Salle in the contest, going the final four allowing two earned runs, while striking out six.
 
The Cats added on some insurance in the sixth when Sierra McConnell two-run shot to left field to push the advantage to 4-0. That proved to be more than enough, as the Explorers could not crack the scoreboard for the second time in the last three contests.
 
La Salle will wrap up their brief three-game home stand on Saturday afternoon, as they welcome conference foe George Mason for a doubleheader at West Campus Field. The Explorers will look to build upon their strong 4-2 start to conference play. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM.