March 18, 2008

VILLANOVA, Pa. - With senior hurler Nicci Ward paving the way, Villanova shutout the Purple Eagles, 2-0, in the opening game.

Both teams were quiet until the fifth inning when sophomore Jess O'Boyle hit a lead-off single, advanced to second following a groundout from freshman Kristen Jelinski and moved to third on a flyout by freshman Allie Heon. O'Boyle crossed the plate when freshman Becky LaMarca singled up the middle, earning the RBI and giving the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage.

Senior Jessica Curtis hit a triple in the sixth inning and scored when junior Meghan Morese singled through the left side to drive in the run.

Ward allowed just four hits in the shutout while LaMarca went 1-for-1 with one RBI.

Niagara got on the board first in the second game earning one run in the third inning, but the Wildcats answered as sophomore Danielle Maricle sailed one into left field for a homerun, tying the game. Villanova was not finished as Morese also hit a long ball into deep left center, putting VU in front, 2-1.

Villanova continued its scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning when Heon singled up the middle, stole second base on the next pitch, then advanced to third on a passed ball. She would score as Carolyn Brown homered into left field pushing the Wildcats to a 4-2 advantage.

Niagara returned the favor in the fifth inning scoring one run, but the Wildcat hitting would not back down.

Curtis scored on a right field single from sophomore Eryn Teague as senior Jackie Dempsey crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from O'Boyle. Heon sent Teague home on an unearned run, keeping Villanova in front, 7-2.

After coming in for junior Laura Determan in the fifth, classmate Megan Hord secured a 7-3 win for the Wildcats.

Maricle was 2-for-3 with on RBI, while Morese was a perfect 2-for-2, also with one RBI. Heon went 2-for-3 and earned one RBI.

The Wildcats will have a break before heading to Towson on March 27 in a doubleheader that begins at 2 p.m.