University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Temple
Softball Cruises To 12th Stright Win, 5-1 At Temple
April 20, 2007 | Softball
April 20, 2007
AMBLER, Pa. -- A balanced offensive attack led the Massachusetts Softball Team (23-12-1, 9-0 A-10) to its 12th straight win, 5-1 over Temple (11-15, 5-4) Friday afternoon. Junior Lauren Proctor (La Jolla, Calif.) led the Minutewomen going 2-for-4 with a RBI. Junior Stacy Cullington (Encinitas, Calif.) was intentionally walked four times on the day, while sophomore Brandice Balschmiter (Newark, N.Y.) tossed a three-hitter as she improved to 18-8 on the season. Balschmiter, who was perfect for the first three innings, allowed just a solo home run in the seventh inning. She struck out six and had no walks.
UMass jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Senior Amanda Morin (Worcester, Mass.) led off the game by reaching on an error, one of two Temple miscues on the day. After moving to second base on a ground out by senior Candice Molinari (Glendora, Calif.). After Cullington drew her first of four walks, heads-up base running enabled Morin to score the game's first run when Proctor singled off the glove of the first baseman and into shallow center field. Later in the inning, sophomore Samantha Salato (Toms River, N.J.) had a chance with the bases loaded and two outs, but was punched out on a tough 3-2 pitch.
Balschmiter and Temple pitcher Ashley Smuda cruised through the next few innings, but the Minutewomen struck for a pair in the top of the fourth to make it a 3-0 game. Salato led off with a double to the wall in right field. Senior pinch runner Jackie Teman (Downingtown, Pa.) then stole third base and scored when Temple catcher Krystle Metzler threw the ball into left field. Later in the inning, freshman Whitney Williams (Kingsley, Pa.) tripled into the left field corner and came around to score on a RBI ground out by Morin.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Natalie Wagner led off with an infield single, the Owls' first base runner of the game. She was quickly erased from the base paths, however, when Jessica Rohn lined into a double play. Her line drive went right to Salato in right field who was able to double up Wagner.
The game remained 3-0 until UMass opened it up in the top of the seventh. Molinari led off with a single and moved to second base on the fourth intentional walk of the game issued to Cullington. Two batters later, Mollica singled to left but the ball was hit so hard that Proctor was forced to stop at third base. Senior Amanda Acampora (Orange, Conn.) made it a 4-0 game with a RBI single to left field and Salato rounded out the UMass inning with a sacrifice fly. It was nearly a grand slam but the wind knocked the ball down allowing center fielder Amanda Carver to settle under it on the warning track.
Balschmiter lost her shut out with one out in the seventh when Adrienne Repsher hit her 12th home run of the season, a solo shot to right field. Balschmiter struck out the side in the seventh around the home run and won her 11 straight decision.
Massachusetts and Temple close out its two-game series Saturday at Noon. The Minutewomen will then take on Saint Joseph's in a doubleheader Sunday at Noon. Free live audio and stats of all three contests will be available at www.umassathletics.com beginning at 11:50 AM with the pre-game show.
