April 29, 2008

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Four hits from Villanova and a late-inning rally was not enough for the Wildcats as they fell to Rutgers, 6-1, in game one of the conference doubleheader. With the loss, the Wildcats' postseason hopes fell as they needed to win both games in order to have a shot at the conference tournament.

The Scarlet Knights got on the board first as a miscue from the Wildcats proved costly when a double gave RU one run in the third inning, while an RBI double to centerfield gave Rutgers its second run and a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning.

Villanova made noise in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore Eryn Teague singled up the middle in the lead off spot. Senior Lisa Curran notched a single to put two runners on for the Wildcats, but they were unable to score and still trailed, 2-0.

The Wildcats' offense got hot in the sixth inning as sophomore Danielle Maricle doubled to left center in the first slot, and then moved to third on a groundout. Junior Meghan Morese was walked to add another base runner. Maricle scored on a groundout from sophomore Jess O'Boyle to close the gap at 2-1.

The top of the seventh inning was costly for the Wildcats as they accounted for two errors that put additional runs on the board for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers scored four runs in the inning, jumping ahead, 6-1.

Freshman Christina Botkins was walked with two outs in the seventh, trying to extend the game for the `Cats, but it was not enough as VU fell, 6-1.

Maricle connected on 2-of-3 with one run, while Teague and Curran accounted for the remaining two hits.

Junior Laura Determan stuck out five batters in 6.1 innings of work.