May 3, 2009
Final Stats
OLEAN, N.Y. - Needing just one victory to secure a spot in the Atlantic 10 Championships, the Temple softball team dropped a pair of games at St. Bonaventure, including a heartbreaking 4-3, 12-inning loss in the second game with the playoff spot on the line. The Cherry and White also dropped the first game 5-1.
With the defeats, the Owls conclude the season with a 15-25 (6-8 A-10) record.
In a season full of heartbreaks, today's loss may have been the most painful.
Down 3-1 in the fifth inning with the season on the brink, the Owls mounted a late rally to save the season behind their seniors. Senior Courtney Norene blasted a solo home run to lead off the inning and her sixth of the season and the 28th of her record-breaking career to cut the Bonnies lead to 3-2.
Next at the plate, senior Katie Burdeaux blasted a double to put the tying run in scoring position. But two batters later, Burdeaux's pinch runner, sophomore Chelsea Reicher, would be throw out at the plate following a Krystle Metzler fielder's choice, leaving the score at 3-2. Two batters later, however, the Owls would tie the game when senior Nicole Lee scored on a wild pitch from third base on a swinging strikeout of freshman Alysse Pujol, knotting the game 3-3.
The two teams battling for the final spot in the A-10 Tournament and would remain scoreless for the next seven inning. In the bottom of the 12th, the Bonnies finally broke through when Katie Nowak knocked in the game-winning run with a one-out single to centerfield, ending the game and the Owls playoff hopes.
Burdeaux (6-12) took the loss for the Cherry and White, allowing just one run in five innings of relief work, striking out three. Freshman Sarah Reynolds started the game and pitched six solid innings, allowing three earned runs.
Senior Amanda Carver, freshman Jess Hirschbuhl, Lee, and junior Michelle Lerner each added two hits for the Cherry and White.
In the first game, the Owls out-hit St. Bonaventure 8-to-6, but could only push one run across as the Bonnies held on for the 5-1 victory.
The Bonnies jumped on starter Burdeaux from the get-go, scoring three runs in the first inning thanks to three St. Bonaventure doubles and never looked back.
Carver was the star at the plate for the Owls, finishing 4-for-4 at the plate, including two doubles. Burdeaux added two hits, including an RBI single. Hirschbuhl also added a double.
Burdeaux took the loss for the Owls, tossing six innings, allowing five earned runs and striking out five. Sherri Thompson picked up the win for the Bonnies, tossing seven innings while allowing just one earned run.