Softball extends losing streak to 12 games

04/14/09 - The University of Rhode Island softball team (7-28 overall, 1-9 A-10) extended its losing streak to 12 games as it dropped two doubleheaders in Philadelphia during the weekend. The Rams continued to struggle on the road falling to Temple University 4-3, 11-4 on Friday afternoon and losing 9-1 in both games at Saint Joseph's University on Sunday.

"In our games against Temple and St. Joe's, it was one bad inning that took us out of the game," head coach Erin Layton said. "It was a bunt, a hit or a hit batsman and we weren't able to get them out. Our inability to create a defense opportunity cost us."

In game one on Friday the Rams' late inning rally fell short. Rhody got on the board in the top of the third when freshman Courtney Prendergastt hit a double that scored freshman Brittany Julich from first to cut the Temple Owls' lead to 2-1.

Temple added a run in the bottom half of the inning extending its lead to two runs once again. Prendergastt brought the Rams back within one in the fifth, reaching on a fielder's choice as Amanda Sbei scored after hitting a single to lead off the inning.

Temple added another run in the sixth and led 4-2 heading into the seventh. Rhody almost rallied to tie the game as Nicole Massoni singled with one out and the bases loaded. Prendergastt was able to score from third, but junior Leah Dibussolo was thrown out trying to score from second. Junior Darci Borden came up next and flied out ending the late rally for the Rams.

"We've scored 19 runs in the seventh inning this year," Layton said. "I'm proud of the way this team comes back. We do our best job for seven innings."

Freshman Allison Hartzell took the loss for the Rams allowing two runs on four hits in just two innings. She fell to 5-9 on the year.

In game two, Temple got all of the scoring done early in the game as they tallied 11 runs in the first three innings. Rhody was able to get on the board in the fifth, scoring four runs on four hits, but couldn't get anything going the rest of the way.

Sophomore Stacey Stanovich fell to 0-4 on the year as she allowed 11 runs on 11 hits. Hartzell relieved Stanovich in the third and held Temple scoreless the rest of the game, allowing just one hit.

On Sunday afternoon the Rams tried to get back on track at St. Josephs. In game one, they took a 1-0 lead on a solo shot by Massoni. This was her first homerun of her career.

The Hawks answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning and went on to add five more to defeat the Rams, 9-1.

Senior Odalys Torres took the loss allowing three runs on two hits in just 1.1 innings of work.

Game two was much of the same for Rhody, as the team fell behind early. The Hawks scored seven runs in the first two innings. Julich got the Rams on the board with an RBI double in the third, but that's all of the scoring they could produce once again, falling 9-1.

"Teams have scored 49 runs on us in the first and third inning this year," Layton said. "We need to do a better job early in the game."

The Rams return to action this afternoon taking on the University of Hartford at the URI Softball Complex. First pitch is at 2 p.m.

The last time Rhody faced Hartford, earlier this year, they lost 14-0.

"We are a much improved team from the last time we have played," Layton said.