May 11, 2011

Game 3 Box Score in PDF Format

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The fourth-seeded Temple Owls downed sixth-seeded Dayton, 9-5, in game three of the 2011 Atlantic 10 Conference Softball Championships. The Owls' seven-run fifth inning proved too much for the Flyers who end their season with a 22-26 record. With the win, the Owls improve to 22-22.

The Flyers jumped out to an early lead, as Brandy Brown singled to right field to bring Rachel Archer home. Dayton continued to build a lead, as Kathleen Maloof singled down the left field line to score Alicia Nichols in the third.

A solo home run by Sarah Prezioso in the bottom of the fourth put Temple on the board, but the Owls' would exit the inning still down, 2-1.

The Temple bats began to light up in the fifth as Christina Skyora doubled to right centerfield. Kristen Marris then reached second off an error by Alysha Isaacson, bringing home Skyora. Marris was then brought in off a bases loaded walk, followed by Samantha Schoell scoring on another Dayton error.

The Owls continued their big inning as Rachel Knable doubled, then advanced to third on the throw, scoring Ali Robinson, Daniele Raneri and Prezioso. Devynne Nelons singled to left to bring Knable home. The Owls finished the inning up 8-2.

Dayton answered with a three-run sixth, but left three runners on base. Temple would score once more, bringing the final score to 9-5.

The Flyers finished with 12 hits and five RBI, but could not find an answer for the Owls, who booked nine runs on 10 hits.

Temple's Marris picked up the win, bringing her record to 16-11, while Dayton's Isaacson falls to 12-13 on the season.

Temple will face an undetermined opponent, in an elimination game on Thursday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Game 3 Quotes
Temple Owl head coach Joe DiPietro:
"After the first game, I was very disappointed with our effort. I thought we had some really bad at-bats in the first game. I don't know if it was nerves or what it was, maybe being here for the first time, but I think being able to get away from the field for a little bit after that first game was key. The team was able to regroup a little bit. In the fifth inning, I brought the team together and told them, `listen - three innings and we are done; three innings and your season is over.' We only have one senior which is Kristen (Marris) and the girls love her to death and they don't want to see her go. Whatever the reason was, our team responded and they hit the ball the way we are capable of. We were leading the league in hitting for a good portion of the season. To come out in the first game and only get two hits was really disappointing."

On getting to advance to Thursday:
"I think it is going to help us to have a little time off on Thursday. We know if we win we will only play one game tomorrow and if we lose, well then our season is over. It's one game and hopefully we will respond tomorrow like we did in the fifth inning today."

Dayton head coach Cara LaPlaca:
"I am really proud of our group. I think they have showed that they never quit and never stopped. They can be in it until the last inning; you never know what is going to happen. Our year has been one of great progress and we are really looking to build upon what we did this year."

--www.atlantic10.com--