Villanova Rallies for 4-3 Walkoff Win Over Softball
5/6/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Wildcats struck first in the bottom of the third after a one-out single by Tessa Braga and a triple by Valerie Ortega to put VU ahead, 1-0.
Seton Hall came back in the top of the fifth after a single by Laura Canulli (Naperville, Ill.) and a walk by Nicole Loewenstein (Joppa, Md.). After a sacrifice bunt, Sara Haefeli (Montclair, N.J.) grounded out to short to plate the Pirates first run of the day. Senior Brittany Hammer (Manheim, Pa.) followed up with another base-hit, but pinch-runner Colltey Sheldon (Peoria, Ariz.) was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
In the sixth, Danielle DeStaso (Congers, N.Y.) notched a two-out single and a misplayed ball in the outfield prolonged the inning for Canulli, who came through with the go-ahead double to give SHU its first lead of the day.
Sophomore Maria DeLuca (Cedar Grove, N.J.) added an insurance run in the top of the seventh with a two-out RBI single to score Haefeli to make it 3-1.
Back-to-back singles by the Wildcats started the rally in the seventh, and both runners moved into scoring position with a sac bunt. Jackie O'Hara, Ortega, and Molly Manning each singled to cap the comeback victory.
DeStaso pitched 6.1 innings, allowing the four earned runs on eight hits. She struck out two and finished the year with 105 strikeouts, seven shy of the freshman mark held by Misty Beaver.
Canulli wrapped up her career with a 2-for-3 day at the plate
