Softball Struggles Offensively, Drops Pair at USF adidas Tournament

(N.C. State boxscore)
(Villanova boxscore)

3/9/07 -- The Long Island University softball team struggled offensively and dropped a pair of shutout decisions to North Carolina State and Villanova, 4-0 and 1-0, respectively, on the second day of the USF adidas Tampa Tournament on Friday.

Juniors Jessie DePippo (Westlake Village, Calif.) and Brittany Murphy(Los Alamitos, Calif.) had two hits over the two games for the Blackbirds, who totaled just six hits on the day.

The Wolfpack (17-6) opened the scoring in the first game in the opening inning with a pair of runs. With two outs and runners on first and second, pitcher Abbie Sims helped herself with a double to right center that plated the two runners. Sims finished the game with a pair of hits and also went the distance in the circle for the complete-game shutout, striking out eight.

In the top of the second, LIU had its best opportunity to get on the board. A single to the left side by DePippo was followed by a sacrifice bunt by junior Celina Castillo (Bay Area, Calif.) that advanced her to second. Two consecutive walks to sophomore Renae Beauchman (Eagle Rock, Calif.) and senior Holly Erwin (Riveside,Calif.) loaded the bases with only one out.

Freshman Mariesha Marker (Keizer, Ore.) grounded the ball right to the drawn-in shortstop in the next at-bat and pinch-runner Amanda Devan(Vista, Calif.) was cut down at the plate trying to score. Sims then got Lewis to strike out to end the threat.

N.C. State would tack on a run in the fourth inning and an unearned run in the fifth and pounded out 11 hits on the game, compared to the Blackbirds’ three. Heather Gelbard and Laura Klem also had two hits for the Wolfpack.

In the second game, a leadoff double by DePippo gave LIU a golden opportunity to break its scoring drought, which was extended to 25 innings. But Villanova’s Laura Determan got the next three batters to pop out, strike out and ground out to third to leave the runner stranded at second.

An RBI single by Cassie Koenig in the top of the fifth proved to be the difference. LIU had runners in scoring position in the fourth and sixth innings but could not take advantage either time.

Sophomore pitcher Jenny Giles (Melbourne, Fla.) suffered the loss in each game, dropping her record to 3-5. Freshman Blaire Porter pitched five innings in relief over the two contests and allowed only an unearned run.

LIU continues play in the USF Tampa Tournament against Mercer on Saturday, March 10 at 1:00 p.m.