March 1, 2008

Box Score

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - Sophomore Eryn Teague (Wilmington, N.C.) and freshman Becky LaMarca (Whippany, N.J.) each hit home runs and Villanova (4-3) downed Florida A&M 8-0 in its second game on Saturday at the Altamonte Springs Tournament near Orlando. The Wildcats were defeated by Central Florida (12-9) 11-4 earlier in the day.

In the win over the Rattlers, Teague hit a solo homer and LaMarca made her first collegiate home run a two-run shot to help propel Villanova to the win. The Wildcats clung to a 2-0 lead midway through the contest before opening things up late.

Several players each had two hits in the win for Villanova, while senior Nicci Ward (Eagle River, Alaska) picked up her first win of the season with 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Junior Megan Hord (Kissimmee, Fla.) relieved and recorded the final five outs in her third straight outing without allowing an unearned run this season.

Earlier in the day, the Wildcats got off to a difficult start in the loss to the Knights. Central Florida scored seven unanswered runs in the first two innings to take a big lead early and go on to the win. Six of the seven runs charged to the account of junior Laura Determan (San Diego, Calif.) were unearned and Villanova committed four errors in the game. Determan (2-2) allowed five hits, struck out two and walked three before leaving with two outs in the top of the second.

Freshman Becky LaMarca (Whippany, N.J.) had two hits and two runs scored and sophomore Eryn Teague (Wilmington, N.C.) went 2-for-4 for the Wildcats. LaMarca led off the third and seventh innings with singles and scored each time.

The Knights accumulated their 11 runs in the game on just seven hits and Villanova allowed eight unearned runs overall. Ashleigh Cole and Cat Snapp had two hits each and Tiffany Lane scored three times.

Cole earned her fourth win of the season with a complete-game effort. She allowed seven hits, four runs (two earned) and struck out three with no walks in the contest.

Sunday is the final day of the tournament. Villanova and Vermont play each other at 9 a.m. and the winner advances to play a second time against Central Florida at Noon.