Softball Steals Two in 5-4, 7-5 Victories over Wilmington
Philadelphia, PA- Philadelphia University senior outfielder Maggie Desmond (Bayport, NY/ St. John) set the tone for the Lady Rams softball team on Thursday afternoon, belting a two-run homer in the seventh inning of game one with two outs to beat the Wilmington University Wildcats 5-4. The Lady Rams completed the sweep with a 7-5 game two victory.
“That was the first ball that Maggie’s hit to right field in four years,” said PhilaU Head Coach John Kelly.
Desmond’s timing couldn’t have been better for PhilaU, as the team trailed the ‘Cats 4-3 going into the bottom of the seventh. PhilaU senior third baseman Kristin Giamatteo (Bellmore, NY/ Wellington Mepham) singled with two outs to get on base and put Desmond-the winning run- at the plate. Desmond sent the ball flying over the right field fence to give PhilaU the come-from-behind 5-4 win.
Lady Ram sophomore pitcher Ali Schmidt (Cordova, MD/ Easton) picked up the win, going all seven innings and striking out six-while allowing just two earned runs. She improves to 4-1 on the season. WU hurler Kim Lawrence took the loss.
Another nail-biter ensued in game two, as PhilaU trailed heading into the bottom of the third 3-0. Sophomore catcher Ali Glaser (Easton, PA/ Notre Dame) smacked her first collegiate homer to get the Lady Rams on the board 3-1.
In the fourth, PhilaU junior outfielder Kate Desmond (Bayport, NY/ St. John) hit a one-run single and another run scored on a fielder’s choice to tie it 3-3.
A three-run fifth inning for PhilaU made it 6-3, helped by sophomore outfielder Sara Romano’s (Harrisburg, PA/ Central Dauphin) two-run single and another single from K. Desmond. PhilaU added an insurance run in the sixth.
WU made it close in the seventh, getting a two-run homer from Kinsley Parker but PhilaU junior closer Randi Wozniak (Newtown Square, PA/ Marple Newtown) shut the ‘Cats down after that to make the final 7-5.
PhilaU senior hurler Kelly Rauco (Nutley, NJ/ Nutley) was tagged with the win, going 3.1 innings and allowing just one earned run. She improves to 3-1 on the year. PhilaU rookie pitcher Nicole Singel (Exton, PA/ Downingtown East) saw 2.2 innings of work, allowing two earned runs. WU’s Heather Karasek took the loss.
Next up for the Lady Rams will be a road trip doubleheader at Dominican College on Saturday (3/27) at 1:00 p.m.
