Tu Records 100th Career Hit as Devils Close Out Season with another Doubleheader Loss (4/26/09)

Samantha Tu became just the seventh softball player in school history to record 100 career hits as the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women's softball team closed out their 2009 season with another doubleheader loss, dropping two games to first-place Dominican College 11-3 and 10-2 Sunday in Orangeburg, New York.

Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa.) entered Sunday's games with 98 career hits. The junior second baseman moved closer to the milestone with a double in her final at-bat in the opening game and reached the mark in her second at-bat in the third inning with a single up the middle to reach the milestone. Samantha added another hit for good measure in the fifth inning to add to her career total and to her record-breaking single season hit total.

Having gotten hits in both games, Tu extended her hitting streak to nine games. Samantha finishes the season with a school record 57 hits, which include 13 doubles (also a school record) and a home run. The junior infielder also finished the season with a .393 batting average, the tenth best mark in school history and the highest since Megan Trimble's .433 mark in 2007.

The former Bensalem High School athlete was not the only player reaching milestones in the doubleheader. Sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.) had three hits in the two games, joining Tu as the only two players in school history to have have 50 or more hits in a season. Her three hits give her 51 on the season and a two-year career total of 98. The hits also extended her hitting streak to 12 games.

Back to the games, the Chargers scored nine time in the first two innings in the opener while getting home runs from Nicole Scarillo, Sarah Beck and Cara Piasecki. The Devils did not score until the fifth inning, getting an RBI single from Phillips and two RBI from Tu's double down the rightfield line, making the score 9-3. The Chargers added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game via the eight-run rule 11-3. Sophomore Gina Murray (Sun Valley HS/Brookhaven, Pa.) took the loss.

USP was also eight-run ruled in the nightcap, falling 10-2. In this game, the Chargers scored the bulk of their runs in their final at-bat in the fifth inning, plate five to ensure the victory. USP got an RBI single from freshman Laura Pietropola (Absegami HS/Galloway, N.J.) in the fourth to make the score 3-1. DC added two in the bottom half of the inning and Tu added an RBI single in the fifth to close the gap to 5-2 before the Chargers struck for five runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game. Junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) took the loss

USP finished the season with a 12-30 overall record and an 8-16 conference record after dropping their last eight games.

Another Pair of Losses Eliminate the Devils from Playoff Contention (4/25/09)

Since sweeping Felician College one week ago, the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia softball team has not tasted a victory since. Saturday’s two losses at Post University lengthened the Devils winless streak to six games and mathematically eliminates them from qualifying for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Championship Tournament.

The Devils dropped game one 5-4 and lost the second, 8-5. USP’s record is now 8-14 in league games and 12-28 overall. Post is now 11-11 in league games and 23-17 overall. The Devils could sweep their final league doubleheader against second place Dominican to finish with ten wins, but the ten wins at best would tie them with both Philadelphia University and Holy Family University. Both these teams swept USP earlier this season and hold the tiebreaker over the Devils.

Sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.) had two hits in each contest, extending her hitting streak to ten games, the second longest on the team this season. (Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa.) had a 13-game streak to start the season). Tu also had hits in each game and extended her hit streak to seven games and her single season hit record to 54.

In the opener, Mia Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.) had three hits as the Devils lost 5-4. USP took an early 2-0 lead and extended it to 3-1 before Post scored solo runs in the fourth, fifth and six innings to lead 4-3. Crotti delivered an RBI single in the seventh to tie the game at 4-4 but the Eagles came away with a win, scoring a run in the bottom of the seventh on a wild pitch by Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.).

In game two, the Eagles scored three times in the second and again in the third to take a 6-1 lead and made it hold up for an 8-5 win. In the game, Phillips, junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) and senior Brittany Ebersole (Cumberland Valley HS/Camp Hill, Pa.) each had two hits and Tu drove in a pair of runs with a single in the first inning and an RBI groundout in the fifth. Ebersole had an RBI single in the fourth and Phillips a Sac-Fly RBI in the sixth.

Degnan took the loss for the Devils, who were without the services of starter Rachel Morgan for the fifth time in six games.

The Devils will conclude their season on Sunday, April 26, 2009 when they travel to Orangeburg, New York to take on second place Dominican College.

Playoff Hopes Fade as Devils are Swept by Wildcats (4/24/09)

The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women’s softball team’s post-season aspirations took a turn for the worse Friday as Wilmington University completed a doubleheader sweep, 8-3 and 5-4 in New Castle, Delaware.

The two losses drop the Devils record to 12-26 overall and 8-12 in Central Atlantic Collegiate conference games. The Wildcats are now 20-20 and 11-9 in league play. USP currently stands in ninth place in the conference standings with the top eight teams qualifying for playoffs. With four games remaining, any two losses for the Devils combined with any two wins by Post University (the eight place team) and the Devils next opponent, will eliminate USP from playoff contention. The Devils could however with wins in their last four games, finish as high as fifth place provided the teams ahead of them lose (The Devils hold no tiebreakers with any of the teams ahead of them that have yet to clinch a playoff spot).

Back to the games, junior Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa.) had two hits in the first game, becoming the first softball player in school history to have 50 hits in one season. Included amongst Tu’s two hits, was a two-run home run in the fifth inning, her first of the season and the second of her career. Sam is now tied for 11th place on the Devils’ all-time home run list. Junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) also had two hits for the Devils.

Wilmington scored all the runs they needed in the opener with six runs off starter Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) in the third inning. The Devils cut the lead to 6-1 in the fourth on senior Ashlee Trupp’s (Daniel Boone HS/Birdsboro, Pa.) RBI single before the Wildcats plated two in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 8-1. USP scored twice in the fifth on Tu’s home run to round out the scoring.

In the nightcap, Wilmington’s Nicole Gephart belted two home runs off USP’s Rachel Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.), including a walk-off dinger in the eighth inning to end off the game and give the wildcats a 5-4 win.

Gephart’s first home run broke a 1-1 tie in the third and gave the Wildcats a 3-1 lead. The Devils did battle back to tie the game in the sixth inning, courtesy of a two-run home run by junior Mia Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.). It was Crotti’s first of the season and sixth of her career. Mia now stands alone in 2nd place on the Devils all-time home run list, trailing only Megan Trimble who hit 21 home runs for USP from 2004-2007.

The Devils took the lead in the eighth inning as senior Ashley Tobin’s (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) scored on freshman Laura Pietropola’s (Absegami HS/Galloway, N.J.) double. Morgan got one out in the bottom of the eighth before giving up a single and then the home run down the left field line by Gephart to give the wildcats the walk-off win.

The Devils are on the road for their remaining two doubleheaders, playing Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut on Saturday, April 25, 2009 and Dominican College in Orangeburg, New York on Sunday, April 26, 2009.

Tu Sets Hit Record but Devils are Swept by Lions (4/23/09)

Samantha Tu broke USP's single season record for hits Thursday afternoon with four hits in the two games, but her efforts were not enough as the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women's softball team were swept by Georgian Court University, 13-2 and 9-2 in Lakewood, New Jersey.

Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa.), a junior second baseman, entered Thursday's doubleheader needing two hits to tie and three to break the record of 46 first set by Amy Dalessandro in 1995 and later tied by Sarina Lavooy (2007) and Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.) last season. Sam got a single in third inning of the first game which lasted just five innings as the Lions scored seven times in the first inning and added runs in each of the next three en route to a 13-2 win.

In the second game Tu led off the third inning with a single, her 46th of the season and tying the school record. One inning later, the record was hers alone as she singled to center field for her 47th hit of the season. Tu later added her third hit of the game and her 48th on the season in the sixth.

Another highlight came in the opener as junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert's HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) hit the first home run by a USP softball player this season in the first inning. It was Bossert's second career home run and her first since the 2007 season. The junior outfielder is now tied for 11th on the Devils all-time home run list. Teammate Mia Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.) is tied for second on the list with five career dingers.

Bossert's home run gave the Devils (12-24, 8-10 CACC) a short lived lead in the opener. The Lions (30-13, 16-6) then struck for seven runs off starter Gina Murray (Sun Valley HS/Brookhaven, Pa.) to take a 7-1 lead. Senior Ashley Tobin's (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) single in the third provided the only other run for the Devils as Georgian Court went on to win 13-2.

Tu had three of the Devils' 12 hits in the nightcap. Phillips, Crotti and senior Laura Hamilton (Cardinal O'Hara HS/ Havertown, Pa.) had two hits apiece. Phillips walked with a the bases loaded in the second inning to tie the game at 1-1 before the Lions added two runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 3-1 lead. GCU added a solo run in the third and four more in the fourth to lead 8-1 before USP scored their final run in the fifth off an RBI single from senior Annie Abbate (St. John Villa HS/Brooklyn, N.Y.) to score Tobin. The Lions scored once more in the fifth to make the final score 9-2.

The Devils return to action on Friday, April 24, 2009 when they take on Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware. The doubleheader starts at 3:00 p.m.

Morgan Throws No-Hitter, Earns Two Wins as Devils Sweep Felician (4/18/09)

Rachel Morgan threw the first no-hitter ever at USP's McNeil Field and later earned the win in relief in the second game as the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women's softball team completed a two game sweep of Felician College, 3-0 and 11-6 on Saturday.

The two wins even the Devils record in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games at 8-8 as they improve to 12-22 overall. Felician falls to 7-28 overall and 6-14 in league play.

Morgan's (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.) no-hitter was the first of her college career and just the third in the history of the softball program at USP. The other two were thrown in 1989 (Chestnut Hill 8-0) and 1991 (Jersey City State 16-0) by Karen Flynn. Flynn's 1989 no-hitter was also a perfect game. both games were pitched at USP's home field at the time, Bartram Gardens.

Three Felician runners did reach base in the first two innings against Morgan as Felician put runners on first and third courtesy of an infield error and a passed ball on a third strike. Rachel struck out Rebecca Todd to end the inning. In the second Felician catcher Johanna Gonzalez leaned over the plate and was nailed by a Morgan fastball. She was promptly retired on a strikeout- caught stealing double play to end the inning. Morgan then retired Felician in order the rest of the way, finishing the game with 11 strikeouts and no walks, facing just two batters above the minimum. Morgan improved her record to 6-10 with the win.

Sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.) and junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert's HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) both went 2-for-3 as the Devils 1-2 hitters in the lineup. Phillips scored the first USP run in the opening inning and singling to left field and stealing second. Bossert followed with a bunt single and scored on an error by the Felician catcher to make the score 1-0. In the fifth inning the Devils loaded the bases on singles by seniors Laura Hamilton (Cardinal O'Hara HS/Havertown, Pa.) and Annie Abbate (St. John Villa HS/Brooklyn, N.Y.) and a bunt single by Phillips. Bossert the hit a hard grounder to the third baseman whose throw home for the force out was low allowing Hamilton to score. Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa.) followed with a grounder to third base. This time a good throw forced out Abbate at home, however the catcher threw the ball away trying to get the speedy Phillips at third, who promptly raced home for the third and final run.

Nicole Broecker took the loss for Felician, dropping to 4-11 on the season.

In the second game, Morgan came on in relief midway through the fourth inning, retiring the first five batters she faced before allowing a double down the line to Samantha Ortiz for the first hit off the right hander on the afternoon. Rachel would go on to earn the win, improving to 7-10 on the season. Morgan gave up four hits and one earned run (Ortiz in the fifth) while striking out two and walking none.

Offensively, the Devils tied their season high with 17 hits. Phillips went 4-for-5 with a double and a stolen base. Junior Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, N.J.) went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Morgan and junior Mia Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.) had two hits apiece and Crotti drove in two runs. Senior Ashley Tobin (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) also drove in two runs with her fourth double of the season.

Grace Keller and Lauren DeGrushe had two hits apiece for the Golden Falcons. Gonzalez also had a solo home run before having to leave the game with a leg injury. Keller, DeGrushe and Hope Van Dyke each drove in a run for Felician. Kelly Hughes took the loss, falling to 1-7 on the season.

Tu singled home Phillips to start the scoring for the Devils in their first at-bat. A single by Brown and a sacrifice fly by Morgan brought home two more runs to give the Devils a 3-0 lead. Brown later scored when Crotti reached on a two-out infield error to make the score 4-0.

Felician came back with three runs in the top half of the third, taking advantage of two USP errors, a wild pitch and a passed ball to score three times and cut the lead to one 4-3. Brown doubled to lead off the bottom half of the third and later came around to score on Crotti's single to left-centerfield to give the Devils a little breathing room and a 5-3 lead.

The lead did not last long as USP starter Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) gave up a home run to Gonzalez to start the fourth inning. Three batters later, Keller had a two out singles and Van Dyke doubled her home to tie the game at 5-5. Degnan then gave way to Morgan who struck out Nicole Deganhardt to end the inning and keep the game even at 5-5.

USP sent ten batters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring four times to take a 9-5 lead. Phillips singled to start the inning and was later tagged out at home on a play that knocked Felician catcher Gonzalez out of the game. After a delay and a pitching change by the Golden Falcons, the Devils loaded the bases for Tobin, who delivered a double over the left fielder's head to score two runs. Crotti singled home the third run and Abbate drew a bases loaded walk to score the fourth run.

Felician finally got to Morgan in the sixth with a double by Ortiz and a RBI single by Keller to make the score 9-6 before the Devils scored twice more in the bottom half of the inning. Singles by Hamilton and senior Brittany Ebersole (Cumberland Valley HS/Camp Hill, Pa.) started the rally. Phillips then beat out a bunt single as Hamilton raced from second to score. Brown later singled to score Bossert who had reached on a fielder's choice to make the score 11-6.

Morgan gave up two inconsequential singles in the seventh before getting Amber Doran to fly out to Bossert in left field and relief pitcher Kristina Jimenez hit a liner that Tu caught at her shoe tops to end the game.

Today's action was the final home games of the 2009 season. The Devils honored six players who were playing in their final home games as a member of the USP softball team, outfielder/designated player Annie Abbate; third baseman Brittany Ebersole; first/third baseman Laura Hamilton; pitcher/designated player Rachel Morgan; third baseman/catcher Ashley Tobin; and outfielder Ashlee Trupp (Daniel Boone HS/Birdsboro, Pa.).

USP returns to action at Wilmington University on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, the first of three consecutive days of doubleheaders.

A Hit Parade for Devils as they Sweep Griffins (4/13/09)

The bats belonging to the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women's softball team came alive on Monday as the Devils recorded 25 hits in a two-game sweep of Chestnut Hill College, 12-1 and 9-6 at McNeil Field.

Two records, one season, and one career and three career milestones were set in the two contests. The two wins improve USP's record to 10-22 overall and 6-8 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games. Chestnut Hill falls to 4-26 overall and 1-13 in league play.

In the opener, junior Rachel Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.) pitched a two-hitter and struck out eight batters. Her eight strikeouts give her 300 for her career, the first USP softball pitcher to ever reach 300 career strikeouts. Sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/ Rosenhayn, N.J.) went 3-for-4 with two RBI and junior Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa) went 3-for-3 with two RBI. Morgan also drove in three runs with a pair of doubles. Junior Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, Pa.) also had three RBI in the opener. Freshman Laura Pietropola (Absegami HS/Galloway, N.J.) had two hits as seven different players had at least one hit in the game as the Devils pounded out 13 hits. Morgan earned the win to improve to 5-10 on the year. Junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/ Philadelphia, Pa.) also became just the fourth softball player in school history to start 100 games during her career when she took her position in left field in the first inning.

USP added 12 hits in the second game with Phillips again going 3-for-4. Tu also had two hits including a late-inning double which set the USP record for doubles in one season with 12. Samantha now has 23 career doubles to rank second behind all-time leader Carolynn Snavely's mark of 25. Senior Ashley Tobin (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) also set a record when she was hit by a pitch in the first inning, become the school's all-time leader in that category. Tobin has been hit by a pitch seven times during her career. Junior Mia Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.) drove in three runs, two on a triple in the fourth inning and Brown added two RBI with a 2-for-4 performance. Senior Laura Hamilton (Cardinal O’Hara HS/Havertown, Pa.) also had two hits. Junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) earned the win and improves to 5-9 on the season. Crotti was the third USP player to reach a milestone, becoming just the 14th softball player in school history to play in 100 games (she has 93 starts).

CHC's Shannon Burdziak took the loss in game one while Alyssa Miller got the loss in game two.

In the opener, the Devils scored seven times in the second and four more in the third en route to a 12-1 five inning win. USP loaded the bases on a single by Pietropola, a fielder's choice by Tobin and a long bunt single by Crotti in the second. Phillips brought home the first two runs with a one-out single to center field. Bossert singled home the next run, followed by an RBI single by Tu and an RBI groundout by Brown. Morgan then doubled to left center to score Tu and Pietropola had her second hit of the inning with an RBI double to center to complete the scoring and give the Devils an 8-0 lead.

The next inning, a walk to senior Ashlee Trupp (Daniel Boone HS/Birdsboro, Pa.), a single by Phillips and a another by Tu started a four run inning that boosted USP's lead to 12-0. Brown followed Tu with a RBI single to put runners at the corners. Morgan then narrowly missed a home run, blasting a double off the top part of the fence down the left field line to clear the bases.

Chestnut Hill added an unearned run in the top of the fourth before Morgan retired the side in order in the fifth to end the game and snap the Devils' six game-losing streak.

In the nightcap, the Devils spotted the Griffins to a 6-0 lead in the first inning as the Griffins took advantage of two costly USP errors and had four hits in the inning. All six runs were unearned. USP got one back in the bottom of the first as Crotti drew a bases-loaded walk to make the score 6-1.

USP settled down after the rocky start as Degnan allowed just two base runners the rest of the way, a single in the second and a two-out walk in the seventh. Meanwhile USP's offense went to work in the fourth inning, scoring six times to retake the lead 7-6. Hamilton singled to start the inning and junior Annie Abbate (St. John Villa HS/Brooklyn, N.Y.) reached on an error by Miller. Phillips and Bossert then added singles to score Hamilton. Two batters later Brown delivered a single, scoring two more runs to cut the deficit to 6-4. Tobin added an RBI single before Crotti delivered a two-run triple to give the Devils the lead for good, 7-6.

The Devils added two insurance runs in the sixth as senior Brittany Ebersole's (Cumberland Valley HS/Camp Hill, Pa.) groundout brought home Tu and an infield hit by Hamilton scored Brown. Degnan got two quick outs in the Griffins final at-bat in the seventh before giving up a walk. Erin then struck out Annie Pearsall to end the game and complete the sweep.

The Devils return to action on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 when they travel to Dominican College to take on the Chargers in a rescheduled CACC doubleheader. Game time is 3:00 p.m.

Tigers Take Two From Devils (4/9/09)

The normally solid defense of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women's softball team took the afternoon off as the Devils committed a total of nine errors in Thursday's doubleheader against Holy Family University. the Tigers handed the Devils their sixth straight loss with a sweep of the two games 6-1 and 9-7.

The two losses drop the Devils record to 8-22 overall and 4-8 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games. Holy Family improves to 11-21 overall and 4-4 in league play.

In the opener, junior Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa) smacked two doubles, giving her 11 for the season and tying the USP single season doubles record set back in 2006 by Samantha Lavooy. Tu's two doubles were the only two hits the Devils had in the game. Junior Rachel Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.) took the loss, allowing six runs (only two of which were earned) on nine hits and striking out six.

Jody Searfoss got the win for the Tigers, who celebrated head coach Mickey McGroarty's 400th career win with the triumph. Searfoss struck out four while walking three. Sarah Marsteller and Rebecca Costa had three hits apiece. costa also drove in two runs.

Both pitchers dominated the game throughout the first three innings. In the top of the fourth the Tigers took advantage of three USP errors, scoring three times to take a 3-0 lead. All three runs were unearned as the Tigers only produced one hit in the inning, a leadoff double by Marsteller, the Tigers only extra-base hit of the game.

Marsteller scored the Tigers fourth run in the fifth on an RBI single by Costa before the Devils scored in the bottom half of the inning to pull within three 4-1. Junior Mia Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.) and senior Brittany Ebersole (Cumberland Valley HS/Camp Hill, Pa.) drew walks to open the inning. After a sacrifice by senior Laura Hamilton (Cardinal O’Hara HS/Havertown, Pa.) moved both runners into scoring position, sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/ Rosenhayn, N.J.) brought Crotti home with a sacrifice fly to center field.

USP's fourth and final error of the game, led to the Tigers' fifth run in the sixth. Holy Family would add another run in the seventh to make the score 6-1 before Searfoss retired the Devils in order in their final at-bat to end the game.

Game two was an offensive laden game that was also full of mistakes by both teams. The Tigers and the Devils combined for eight errors, four passed balls and two wild pitches in an up-and-down affair that saw the Devils produce their highest run total since their third game of the season down in Florida- seven. Unfortunately the Tigers scored nine times, taking advantage of errors and passed balls by the Devils to win 9-7.

Junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) took the loss, pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing all nine runs (only four of which were earned), eight hits and striking out four. Morgan went 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI. The Devils had six hits total for the game.

The Tigers got a complete game from Angela DiBeneditto, who allowed seven runs (four earned) while striking out four. DiBeneditto also helped her own cause with three hits and four RBI. Costa added two hits.

Two USP errors in the second inning led to three runs for the Tigers who again started the scoring with a 3-0 lead. USP got one back in the bottom of the inning. Morgan delivered a one-out single and Crotti followed with a long fly ball that was dropped by the center fielder, resulting in a three-base error and allowing Morgan to score to make the score 3-1.

A wild pitch and a pass ball led the the Tigers fourth run in the third, giving the guests a 4-1 lead. The Devils however, sent nine batters to the plate in the bottom half of the fourth, scoring five times to take a 6-4 lead. Junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/ Philadelphia, Pa.) singled with one out and advanced to third on an infield throwing error which put Phillips on second. Tu walked to load the bases for cleanup hitter, junior Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, Pa.). Brown hit a blooper that fell in front of the HFU shortstop for a single, plating Bossert and leaving the bases load for Morgan. Morgan then hit the first pitch into the gap in deep left center field, clearing the bases with a double and moved to third on an attempt to catch Brown at the plate. Two batters later, Crotti had an infield groundout to score Morgan and gave the Devils a 6-4 lead.

DiBeneditto's one out double in the fifth brought home two Holy Family runs and tied the game again at 6-6. Morgan then delivered her final hit of the game, legging out a two-out double after fouling a pitch off her left leg to set-up USP's seventh run. Senior Ashlee Trupp (Daniel Boone HS/Birdsboro, Pa.) replaced Morgan on the base paths and later came around to score on freshman Laura "Coups" Pietropola's (Absegami HS/Galloway, N.J.) RBI single to give the Devils a 7-6 lead.

The lead did not last long as the Tigers struck for three more runs in the sixth helped by two errors by the Devils. DiBeneditto again had the big hit, driving in the go-ahead runs with a single through the left side to make the score 9-7. The Devils could not score in the sixth or seventh and the Tigers had completed the two game sweep.

The Devils return to action on Monday, April 13, 2009 when the host Chestnut Hill College in CACC doubleheader at McNeil Field. First game is set to start at 3:00 p.m.

Home Run Caps Doubleheader Sweep by Rams (4/7/09)

Philadelphia University's Kelly Rauco hit a home run in the top of the seventh inning, providing the winning run in a 4-3 win over the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia University women's softball team Tuesday afternoon at McNeil Field in Philadelphia. The win completed a two game sweep by the Rams who defeated the Devils 10-3 in the opener.

USP falls to 8-20 overall and 4-6 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games. Philadelphia University improves to 14-13 overall and 6-6 in league play.

In the opener, the Devils managed just five hits off Ram pitcher Ali Schmidt as they lost 10-3. Junior Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, Pa.) had two of the five hits and drove in a run. Seniors Laura Hamilton (Cardinal O’Hara HS/Havertown, Pa.) and Ashley Tobin (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) along with sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/ Rosenhayn, N.J.) also had a hit apiece. Junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) took the loss, falling to 4-8 on the season. Erin allowed four runs on seven hits through 2+ innings of work, before giving way to sophomore Gina Murray (Sun Valley HS/Brookhaven, Pa.).

The Rams banged out 15 hits off Degnan and Murray, nine of them for extra bases. Maggie Desmond went 4-for-4 with three doubles and seven RBI. Kate Renner went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI. Schmidt earned the win, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out eight.

In the second game, the got six hits, three from Tobin, two from junior Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa) and one from junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) as the Rams rallied to pull off a 4-3 win. Junior Rachel Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.) took the loss, falling to 4-9 on the season. Rachel struck out seven and allowed four runs on eight hits.

Rauco's solo home run in the seventh highlighted the Rams eight hits - five of which came in the final two innings. Jen Richard had three hits and Kristin Giamatteo drove in two runs. Danielle Parisi and Rauco had the other two RBI for Philadelphia. Amber Beauchamin picked up the win in relief, pitching four scoreless innings.

USP led the second game 3-0 and Devils starter Morgan was pitching a brilliant game, allowing just three inconsequential hits until running out of gas in the sixth inning when the Rams touched her for four straight hits to start the inning and tie the score at 3-3. Parisi's double brought home the first run and was followed by Giamatteo's single to bring home the next two. In the seventh Rauco connected on a 2-0 pitch from Morgan and put the ball over the centerfield fence for the go-ahead run. The Devils got out of the inning without allowing any additional runs but the damage was done.

The Devils had one last opportunity as they put runners the tying run at third and the potential winning run at first but were unable to push them across as Morgan hit a grounder to the pitcher to end the game. Counting the two left on base in the final inning, the Devils stranded a total of nine runners on base during the course of the game, three of them at third base.

The Devils had jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Phillips walked and was sacrificed over by Bossert who wound up reaching base on an error by PU's Schmidt. Phillips later scored on a wild pitch and Bossert came around to score on Tobin's RBI single. Bossert's sacrifice was her 11th this season, tying the USP single season record set back in 1995 by Shelly Staffa. Bethanne already holds the career mark with 21.

Tu's leadoff single in the third led to USP's third run. Brown followed with a walk and Tobin sacrificed both runners into scoring position. Samantha came into score on Schmidt's second wild pitch of the game and made the score 3-0, where it would stay until the sixth inning rally by the Rams.

In the opener PU's Desmond hit a bases-load double in the first inning to put the Rams up 3-0. The Devils got one back in the bottom of the inning when Desmond threw the ball away in an attempt to throw out Phillips who was running to third on Bossert's sacrifice. The errant throw allowed Phillips to score and cut the Rams' lead to 3-1. Desmond's second double scored Sarah Romano in the fourth, making the score 4-1 and chasing Degnan from the mound. Murray entered the game, got the Devils out of the inning and pitched a 1-2-3 fourth before getting into trouble in the fifth and sixth.

The Rams scored three times in the fifth and added another three in the sixth to take a 10-1 lead. All three runs in the sixth were unearned. The Devils came back to score two in the bottom of the sixth as Phillips walked and advanced to second on two wild pitches from Schmidt. Brown then singled to right center to score Phillips. Morgan then reached base on an error and Tobin and Hamilton singled to score Brown with the final USP run.

USP returns to action on Thursday, April 9, 2009 when they host area rival Holy Family University at McNeil Field. Game time is 3:00 p.m.

Deacons Sweep Devils (4/5/09)

Bloomfield College banged out 22 hits in the two games of Saturday afternoon’s women’s softball doubleheader with the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia as they defeated the Devils by identical 6-2 scores in both games at Pulaski Field in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

The Devils fall to 8-18 overall and 4-4 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games with the two losses. Bloomfield improves to 18-5 overall and 9-1 in league play.

In the opener, Bloomfield got 11 hits off USP starter Rachel Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.), including two home runs as they hung on for the 6-2 win. Five BC players had two hits apiece, led by Vickie Berardi and Mallorie Matthews who homered off the USP ace. Brianne Moore earned the win for the Deacons.

The Devils had ten hits themselves. Sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.) went 3-for-3 with an RBI while junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) continued her solid hitting with a double and a triple. Junior Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa) also had a pair of hits, including a double. Morgan took the loss to drop to 4-8 on the season. Rachel gave up all six runs and had eight strikeouts.

Matthews put the Deacons on the board first with a two-run home run in the second. Bossert’s triple followed by Tu’s RBI double made the score 2-1 in the top of the third inning but the Deacons scored twice again in the bottom half of the inning to lead 4-1. Moore’s RBI double made the score 3-1 and she later come around to score on the back end of a failed double steal attempt. Berardi led off with a home run in the fifth and Moore had an RBI single three batters later to make the score 6-1. The Devils scored their final run when Phillips drew a bases load walk in the sixth to make the score 6-2.

In the nightcap, Bloomfield again had 11 hits and outscored the Devils 6-2. Matthews and Moore each had two hits for the Deacons, as did Bianka Cosme. Jackie Dean earned the win.

The Devils had just six hits in the game, one apiece from six different players. Tu and senior Laura Hamilton (Cardinal O’Hara HS/Havertown, Pa.) drove had the Devils’ two RBI for the game. Junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) took the loss to fall to 4-7 for the season.

Moore doubled home the first Bloomfield run in the first inning before the Devils tied the game at 1-1 in the third. Phillips reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second. Morgan followed with a single, moving Phillips to third. Tu then brought Phillips home with an RBI single. The Devils then took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning as Hamilton delivered a two-out single to score junior Mia Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.) from second. The score remained 2-1 in favor of the Devils until the sixth inning when the Deacons sent ten players to the plate, banging out six hits and scoring five times to take a 6-2 lead. Dean retired the Devils in order in the top of the seventh to end the game as the Deacons completed the sweep.

The Devils return to action on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 when they host Philadelphia University in a CACC doubleheader at McNeil Field. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.

Degnan Throws a Shutout as Devils Sweep Lightning (4/2/09)

Erin Degnan threw a three-hit shutout in the second game of Thursday afternoon’s doubleheader as the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women’s softball team completed a sweep of host Goldey Beacom College 5-3 and 5-0 in Wilmington, Delaware.

With the sweep the Devils improve to 8-16 overall and 4-2 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games. The Lightning of Goldey Beacom fall to 11-13 overall and 2-8 in league play.

Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) allowed just three hits in recording her second shutout of the season. The junior pitcher struck out one and walked four. Erin gave up singles in the first and second innings and a double in the fifth inning to improve to 4-6 on the season. Junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) went 3-for-4 in the nightcap with a double, a triple and an RBI. Junior Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, Pa.) went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Junior Sadie Jones took the loss for Goldey Beacom, giving up five runs on eight hits while striking out two.

Equally impressive on the mound for the Devils in the opener was junior Rachel Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.). Morgan struck out eight of the first nine batters she faced and finished the game with 12 strikeouts, just one strikeout shy of tying her own single game strike set in her previous outing. Rachel gave up three runs (one earned) and eight hits and did not walk a single batter. Morgan improves to 4-7 on the season.

Junior Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa) drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double while Bossert, Brown and sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.) had two hits apiece.

Shannon O’Hara and Laura Witzke had two hits apiece for the Lightning. O’Hara also took the loss on the mound, giving up 10 hits and five runs while striking out six.

Tu’s double in the fourth inning broke open a scoreless game and helped stake the Devils to a 4-0 lead by the time the inning ended. Bossert singled to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice by junior Annie Abbate (St. John Villa HS/Brooklyn, N.Y.). Phillips then followed with a two-out single and then stole second. Senior Ashley Tobin (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Tu who delivered the base-clearing two-bagger to left center field. She later came around to score on an outfield error.

Goldey got two back in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of two USP errors for a pair of unearned runs to make the score 4-2. A single, a passed ball and a double by Witzke led to the third GBC run, making the score 4-3 after five innings.

USP got their final run in the sixth as Phillips singled was sacrificed over and scored on an infield error to give the Devils a two-run cushion. The Lightning led off the bottom of the sixth with a double and a single. However Morgan struck out Leah Bowman and the Devils got some fine defense from their infield to get the Lightning’s lead runner out at home for the second out and Cailin Cavanaugh grounded out to end the threat. Morgan gave up a two-out double to Witzke in the seventh but shut the door, getting Ashley Paige to ground out to first to end the game

As in the opener, the Devils struck first in the fourth inning, scoring twice to take a 2-0 lead. A one-out walk to senior Laura Hamilton (Cardinal O’Hara HS/Havertown, Pa.) was followed by a fielder’s choice and an error, putting runners on first and second. A wild pitch moved the runners up and Hamilton came around to score from third on junior Mia Crotti’s (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.) groundout. Senior Brittany Ebersole (Cumberland Valley HS/Camp Hill, Pa.), who had reached on the fielder’s choice, later scored on a second wild pitch by the GBC pitcher Jones.

In the fifth, Bossert tripled down the right field line and later scored on Brown’s RBI single to make the score 3-0. USP got their final two runs in their last at-bat. Phillips had a bunt single stole second, her third steal of the afternoon. Bossert then doubled down the left field line to score Phillips. Two batters later, Brown again delivered an RBI single to score Bossert with the final run of a 5-0 game. Degnan retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.

The Devils return to action on Saturday, April 4, 2009 when they travel to face Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

Morgan Sets Three Records as Devils Sweep Nyack College (3/28/09)
Becomes Devils All-Time Strikeout leader

Junior pitcher Rachel Morgan broke the career record for strikeouts and set two other single game records in the process as the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women's softball team completed a doubleheader sweep of Nyack College 4-1 and 3-2 Saturday afternoon at McNeil Field in Philadelphia.

USP improved to 6-16 overall and 2-2 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games. Nyack falls to 2-16 overall and 2-6 in CACC games.

Morgan (Clackamas High School/Clackamas, Ore.) entered today's opening game needing 11 strikeouts to break the USP career mark of 256 set by Laura Flint' 07 from 2004-07. The righthander quickly put herself within reach of the mark, striking out seven of the first nine batters. Two innings later in the fifth, Morgan struck out the side to tie Flint's mark. In the sixth, Nyack's Brie Cercone became Morgan's 11th strikeout victim in the game and put the former Clackamas High School star alone at the top of the Devils' all-time strikeout list, reaching the pinnacle in just 280 1/3 career innings pitched which is 132 fewer innings thrown than Flint, the previous record holder. Rachel added two more for good measure striking out Samantha Knight looking to end the game in the seventh for her 13th "K" in the contest and 259th for her career. Her 13 strikeouts break her own record of 11 strikeouts in a game set last season. Morgan also struck out seven batters looking, also a single game record, breaking the mark of six set by Flint back in 2007.

Offensively, Morgan also added an RBI single to help her own cause. Junior Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa) had three hits, including two doubles and junior Mia Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.) had a pair of hits and an RBI. Junior Annie Abbate (St. John Villa Academy/Brooklyn, N.Y.) added an RBI single and senior Ashley Tobin (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) drove in a run with a perfect suicide squeeze play. Morgan earned the complete game win to improve to 3-7 on the season, allowing just three hits and not walking a single batter.

Lauren Merkley took the loss for Nyack, who got an RBI double from Christina Braziel amongst their three hits.

Pitching also took center stage in the nightcap as junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) struck out eight batters while giving up five hits and walking four in USP's 3-2 win to complete the sweep. Erin improved to 3-6 on the season with the win. Six different Devils got hits in the game with Tu (single in the first inning), freshman Laura Pietropola (Absegami HS/Galloway, N.J.) (double in the 2nd) and Tobin (double in the third) driving in runs for USP.

Sarah Bolles took the loss for the Warriors in the nightcap who had doubles from Melanie Susan and Braziel.

USP struck first in the opener getting a run in the third. Tu doubled with one out and stole third as junior Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, Pa.) was being intentionally walked. Tobin came to bat and laid down a perfect bunt towards third base for the suicide squeeze as Tu scored.

Nyack tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth as Susan was hit by a pitch and later scored on Braziel's RBI double, Nyack's first hit of the game.

The Devils retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Crotti singled to start the inning and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior Laura Hamilton (Cardinal O’Hara HS/Havertown, Pa.). Abbate then hit an RBI groundout as Crotti scored. USP added two more insurance runs in the fifth as Tu led off the inning with a double and went to third on a wild pitch as Brown was being intentionally walked for the second time (also a school record). With runners at the corners USP attempted a double steal. Tu was caught in a rundown and eventually was tagged out but not before Brown was able to reach third safely. Morgan then hit a two-out single to left to score Brown. Crotti followed with a double to score Morgan, who was flying around the base paths from first with USP's final run. Morgan closed out the game by striking out three of the final four batters she faced to put herself in the record books.

In the nightcap, it was Nyack who struck first with a run in the first inning as Lauren Campbell scored from third on a Braziel sacrifice fly.

The Devils tied it in the bottom half of the inning as sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.) walked, was sacrificed to third and later scored on Tu's RBI single. Another first to third sacrifice play led to the Devils second run as Crotti singled to start the inning and went to third on a sacrifice by Hamilton. Pietropola then belted a double to score Crotti and give USP a 2-1 lead. Brown and Tobin hit back to back doubles in the third to increase the Devils lead to 3-1.

Nyack cut the lead to 3-2 in the fifth as Anna Bulka scored on Susan's RBI groundout. Degnan did not allow a hit the rest of the way, striking out two of the final four batters she faced to earn the complete game win.

The Devils will face Dominican College in a CACC doubleheader on Sunday, March 29, 2009 in Orangeburg, New York.

Devils Swept by Golden Rams (3/24/09)

West Chester University handed the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia softball team their eighth straight loss with a two-game sweep Tuesday afternoon in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

West Chester took the first game 8-0 in five innings and followed that with an 8-1 win in the nightcap. The two losses drop USP’s record to 4-16 overall. West Chester improves to 19-7.

USP finished the opener with just five hits, including a double by junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.). Junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) (2-6) took the loss, pitching 2 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on four hits.

WCU’s Samantha Ingersoll went 3-for-4 in the opener with two doubles while Kate Kmiencinski went 2-for-3 with a double and a solo home run. Meghan Halberstadt also hit a two-run home run for the Golden Rams. Shannon Padula (10-3) earned the win.

The Devils had opportunities in the opener, putting runners on base in all five innings, including having a runner on third base in the first, second innings and fourth innings but were unable to push a run across the plate. Bossert doubled in the third but was thrown out on an infield double play to end any USP threat.

The Golden Rams scored five times in the bottom of the third, three on the back-to-back home runs by Halberstadt and Kmiencinski, a fourth on Ingersoll’s RBI double and another on a wild pitch. A sacrifice fly and a single by Padula led to two more WCU runs in the fourth and an outfield error led to the Golden Rams’ eighth run in the fifth.

In the nightcap, the Devils got on the scoreboard first with a solo run in the opening inning before West Chester put three on the board in the bottom of the first and five more in the second as they cruised to an 8-1 win.

USP had only three hits in this contest, including a double by sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.). Junior Rachel Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.) took the loss, giving up eight runs (5 earned) while striking out eight.

Ingersoll and Erin McNamee had two hits apiece for West Chester. Megan Harbaugh and Samantha Soprano hit home runs. Soprano picked up the win to improve to 9-4.

Phillips walked and stole second in the opening inning and was brought home on a pair of sacrifices, the last a sac fly by Bossert.

Ingersoll drove in the first WCU run in the bottom of the first, followed by Harbaugh’s two-run home run. Soprano homered to lead off the second as the golden Rams then took control with a five run outburst, taking advantage of two USP errors to go up 8-1.

After the two big innings, West Chester managed just two hits the rest of the way, as Morgan recorded seven strikeouts in the final four innings and held the Golden Rams scoreless. Soprano was doing the same to the Devils, as neither team scored again and West Chester had an 8-1 win completing the sweep.

The Devils return to action on Saturday, March 28, 2009 when they host Nyack College in a Central Atlantic collegiate Conference doubleheader at McNeil Field starting at noon.

Softball Team Drops Pair to Cougars (3/21/09)

Rachel Morgan gave up just six singles in the second game of Saturday’s Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference women’s softball doubleheader against Caldwell College, but wound up on the short end of a 2-0 score as the Cougars completed a two-game sweep of the Devils.

Caldwell improves to 5-7 overall and 2-0 in CACC games with the sweep. The Devils fall to 4-14 overall and 0-2 in league play. Caldwell took the first game by a score of 7-1.

Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.) gave up one run in the opening inning and one run in the final inning of game 2, both runs scoring as a result of an infield error. The junior pitcher struck out four and walked just two batters as her record dropped to 2-6.

USP was not without chances in the nightcap, placing runners on first and third in the bottom of the first courtesy of singles by juniors Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) and Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, Pa.) but were unable to score. USP again had a runner on third in the fifth but was unable to advance her the final 60 feet.

The Devils saved their final threat for their final at-bat. Morgan was hit by a pitch to start the inning bringing junior Mia Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.) to the plate. During Crotti’s at-bat she lined a bloop over the first baseman’s head that landed on the inside of the foul line for what should have been a hit to place the tying run on base but the ball was ruled foul by the plate umpire. Crotti then grounded into a double play emptying the bases. Junior Ashley Tobin (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) then came to the plate and lined a two-out double into left field. Relief pitcher Brittany Pulido then struck out USP first baseman Laura Hamilton (Cardinal O’Hara HS/Havertown, Pa.) to end the game and secure the win for starter Juliette Wilson.

It was Pulido who earned the win in the opener, pitching five scoreless innings as the Cougars won easily 7-1. Seven different players had a hit apiece for the Devils, who have now dropped nine of their last 10 games.

Junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) (2-5) took the loss for USP, pitching 3 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits while striking out two.

Caldwell scored twice in the third on a two run triple by Katie Margiotta and added two more in the third on an RBI triple by Gina Capardi and an RBI single by Kyrie Timbrook. After Caldwell plated an unearned run in the fourth courtesy of two infield errors, Degnan gave way to sophomore Gina Murray (Sun Valley HS/Brookhaven, Pa.) who completed the inning and a scoreless fifth. Danielle Genovese made the score 6-0 with an RBI single in the sixth before the Devils got one back in their half of the inning.

Junior Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa) dropped a perfect bunt for a base hit to lead off the inning and Brown followed with a single. Hamilton was called upon to sacrifice and got lucky, popping the ball up between the mound and first where neither player could catch it. The sacrifice was successful and USP had two runners in scoring position. Tu then scored on an infield groundout making the score 6-1.

The Cougars added an unearned run in the seventh to make the final score 7-1. Timbrook finished the game with three hits while Genovese and Margiotta had two apiece.

The Devils return to action on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 when they travel to take on West Chester University in a regional non-conference doubleheader.

Nationally Ranked Golden Bears Sweep Devils (3/18/09)

The nationally ranked Kutztown University Golden Bears softball team came into Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon and sent the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia to their fourth straight defeat, sweeping a pair of games 8-0 and 9-2 at McNeil Field.

Kutztown, ranked #11 in the country in the most recent coaches poll, improves to 20-5 overall. USP drops to 4-12 with the two losses.

The Devils managed just three hits in the opener as the Golden Bears cruised to an 8-0 win in five innings, getting a single from sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.) in the first and singles from juniors Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa.) in the fourth and Rachel Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.) in the fifth. Junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) (2-4) took the loss, pitching 3.2 innings, giving up all eight runs on nine hits. Sophomore Gina Murray (Sun Valley HS/Brookhaven, Pa.) finished the game, giving up two hits.

Kutztown got home runs from Steph Denlinger and Krista Tedjeske. Denlinger's blast was a two-run shot over left-center field in the fourth inning, her ninth of the season. Tedjeske's was a three run effort over the fence down the left field line in the third. It was her third home run of the season. Tedjeske and Denlinger each had two hits as did Maria Schiavo and Ashley Fitzgerald. Monica Glomb got the win, improving to 5-1 on the season.

In the nightcap, a four-run fifth inning turned a close game into a runaway as Kutztown defeated the Devils 9-2. Already leading 3-0, the Golden Bears sent ten batters to the plate, taking advantage of an infield error and several mental errors by the Devils to score four times and take a 7-0 lead. Denlinger delivered the big hit with a double to center field. Three of Kutztown's four runs were unearned.

Denlinger blasted her tenth home run of the season in the sixth inning, a solo shot off Murray who had come into the game that inning in relief. Trailing 8-0, the Devils kept the game alive by scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) led off with a bloop double down the left field line and advanced to third on Tu's single. Junior Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, N.J.) added a single to score Bossert and senior Ashley Tobin (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) followed with a single past the third baseman down the line to score Tu and make the score 8-2.

Kutztown got their final run in the seventh on a solo home run by Heather Hannum.

Morgan and Phillips had two hits apiece for the Devils. Morgan took the loss, falling to 2-5 on the season, pitching five innings and giving up nine hits and seven runs (four earned) and striking out five.

Fitzgerald went 4-for-4 in the nightcap with two RBI while Denlinger went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Hannum and Maggie Reifsnyder had two RBI apiece. Mary Hoch earned the win and upped her record to 5-1.

The Devils open their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) schedule with a doubleheader against Caldwell College on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at McNeil Field. First game is set to start at noon.

Devils Swept by Marauders (3/14/09)

A seven run fifth inning turned a close game into a rout as Millersville University completed doubleheader sweep of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women’s softball team with a 9-2 win in the second game. The Marauders also took the first game 4-1.

The pair of losses drops the Devils record to 4-10 overall. Millersville improves to 9-9.

USP had four hits in the game, all singles, with juniors Mia Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.) and Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, N.J.) scoring USP’s only two runs. Junior Rachel Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.) took the loss, pitching 4 2/3 innings and giving up all nine runs (five earned) while walking one and striking out one.

Shaina Briel went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and three RBI for the Marauders. Ally Homa added two hits while Samantha Jackson drove in a pair of runs. Brittany Peterson pitched a complete game for the win.

Briel’s solo home run gave Millersville the early 1-0 lead in the first inning. USP came back with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Brown singled and was sacrificed to second. Morgan’s single moved Brown to third and Crotti reached on a fielder’s choice to score Brown and tie the game at 1-1. A single by senior Laura Hamilton (Cardinal O’Hara HS/Havertown, Pa.) and an error by Millersville catcher Kelly Fitzgerald allowed Crotti to score the second run and give USP a short lived 2-1 lead.

Millersville played small-ball in the bottom of the third, manufacturing a run on a pair of singles and two sacrifice hits to tie the game at 2-2. Two innings later, the Marauders sent 11 batters to the plate, with Briel’s double providing two RBI as they broke the game open with a seven run outburst to take a 9-2 lead. Sophomore Gina Murray (Sun Valley HS/Brookhaven, Pa.) came in to get the final out of the inning and pitched a clean inning in the bottom of the sixth but USP went down in order in their half of the sixth and seventh innings to give the Marauders the 9-2 win. Junior Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa.) went hitless in three at-bats and saw her hitting streak come to an end at 13 games.

In the opener, Millersville scored runs in the second, third and fourth innings as they cruised to a 4-1 win. Tu had a pair of hits, including a double while junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) also had a double and Brown recorded a single to account for all four of USP’s hits. Junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) took the loss, giving up just four hits in six innings while walking two.

Fitzgerald had one of the Marauders four hits, a solo home run to lead off the fourth inning.

The Devils return to action on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 when they face another Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent, Kutztown University at McNeil Field. Kutztown is currently ranked #11 nationally in the most recent coaches poll. USP lost to the Golden Bears 4-3 in their opening game in Florida. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.

Devils Rally to Earn Split with Widener (3/12/09)

Mia Crotti's one-out bases loaded single in the seventh inning capped a comeback by the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women's softball team as they defeated Widener University 5-4 in the second game of Thursday afternoon's doubleheader at McNeil Field in Philadelphia.

The win earned the Devils a split with the Pride, as Widener took the first game 7-5. USP is now 4-8 with the win. Widener's record drops to 4-6 with the split.

Crotti (Valley View HS/Jessup, Pa.), a junior catcher had three hits in the game as did sophomore outfielder Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.) . Junior shortstop Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, N.J.) drove in three runs with a pair of hits and a sacrifice fly. Junior Erin Degnan (Gwynedd Mercy Academy/Doylestown, Pa.) (2-2) earned the win, pitching the complete game while giving up nine hits and striking out six.

Widener got two hits from Stephanie Caulford, including a two-run home run. Rachel O'leary added a pair of doubles and Caitlin Callahan had a double and single in the losing effort. Christine Bradley took the loss, giving up ten hits and five runs in 6 1/3 innings of work.

With the game tied at 4-4 going into USP's final at-bat, junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) led off with a double to center field and was sacrificed to third by junior Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa.). Brown and senior Ashley Tobin (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) walked to load the bases for Crotti who connected on a 1-2 pitch from Bradley and sent the ball into left centerfield to score Bossert with the winning run.

USP had taken the early lead in the game as Phillips singled in the first inning was sacrificed to second and later scored on a Brown RBI single. Widener tied the game in the second on O'Leary's RBI double before the Devils again retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Crotti singled and was sacrificed to second. Mia later took third on a wild pitch. After senior Ashlee Trupp (Daniel Boone HS/Birdsboro, Pa.) drew a walk, Crotti stepped off the bag towards the plate, enticing the Widener catcher, Katie Mitchell to throw down to third. Mitchell's throw hit Crotti in the leg and bounced away for an error, allowing her to score the go-ahead run at the time and give USP a 2-1 lead.

Widener scored three times in their next at-bat, with the big blow being a Caulford's two run blast over the left field fence to make the score 4-3 in the third inning. In the bottom of the third, Tu led off with a double, extending her hitting streak to 12 games. After moving to third on a wild pitch, Tu came home on Brown's sacrifice fly to make the score 4-3. Two innings later, Brown brought home the tying run with a dying quail that dropped in between the shortstop and third baseman allowing Phillips to scamper home and even the score as Brown chugged into first with second hit of the game.

The score remained at 4-4 through the top of the sixth due in part to some good pitching from Degnan and solid defense by the Devils infield. Widener threatened in the inning, putting runners on second and third with just one out, but Degnan struck out Kelly Vogelgesang looking and got leadoff hitter Meg Phillips to ground out to short to end the threat. Widener went down 1-2-3 in the seventh setting the stage for USP's last at-bat heroics.

Final at-bat heroics was something the Devils couldn't complete in the opener as they put the tying runs on base in the bottom of the seventh inning only to have a double play end the threat and the game with Widener winning 7-5.

Bossert, Tu and Brown each had a pair of hits in the game. Sophomore Gina Murray (Sun Valley HS/Brookhaven, Pa.) took the loss, falling to 0-3 on the season, giving up all seven Widener runs (three earned).

Widener banged out nine hits including a three run home run and a two run double by Krista Cesarine who finished with a game-high five RBI. Jamie Schmucker also had two hits. Kelsey Shultz had the win.

A two-out error in the top half of the first led to four unearned runs for the Pride. USP quickly got two runs back as Bossert and Tu delivered one-out singles and Brown walked to load the bases. Tobin was then hit by a pitch to force in the first Devils run. Crotti then drew a bases-loaded walk to score USP's second run.

Tu added a two-out RBI double in the second inning and later scored on Brown's single to knot things up at 4-4. The score remained tied until the top of the fifth inning when Cesarine a three-run home run to left field to make the score 7-4. Freshman Laura Pietropola's (Absegami HS/Galloway, N.J.) sacrifice fly brought home Tobin in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 7-5. Brown (double) and Tobin (infield error) reached base in the seventh before Crotti lined a hard shot back to mound who threw to first to double up Tobin and end the game.

USP returns to action on Saturday, March 14, 2009 when they travel to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to face Millersville University for a non-conference in-region doubleheader.

Dragons Sweep Doubleheader from Devils (3/11/09)

The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia put the winning run on base in their final at-bat in the nightcap of Wednesday afternoon's home doubleheader against Drexel University but were unable to capitalize and lost 4-3. The loss completed a sweep for the Dragons as they defeated the Devils 11-0 in the opening game.

With the losses, USP falls to 3-7 overall, while Drexel improves to 7-5.

Junior shortstop Brittany Brown (Cherokee HS/Marlton, N.J.) had three hits in the nightcap and drove in a pair of runs. Junior second baseman Samantha Tu (Bensalem HS/Trevose, Pa.) was one of four other Devils to record a hit, extending her hitting streak to ten games. Junior pitcher Rachel Morgan (Clackamas HS/Clackamas, Ore.) took the loss, allowing just six hits and one earned run with four strikeouts in a complete game effort. Morgan falls to 2-3 with the loss.

Drexel's Ashley Botelho had three of the Dragons six hits in the nightcap including their lone extra-base hit, a double in the fifth inning. Ellen Boundy earned the win for the Dragons with Hillary Allen getting the save.

Trailing 4-1 entering their final at-bat, Drexel pitcher Hillary Allen got two quick outs before she hit sophomore Dayna Phillips (Cumberland Regional HS/Rosenhayn, N.J.) and walked junior Bethanne Bossert (St. Hubert’s HS/Philadelphia, Pa.). Tu then reached on an error to load the bases. Brown then delivered a two out single to score the speedy duo of Phillips and Bossert before Morgan hit a hard grounder to Dragon shortstop Caprice DeMirajian whose throw barely beat out Morgan who was racing down the line to end the game with USP one run short, 4-3.

Three errors by the Devils in the first inning led to Drexel's first three runs. The Devils cut the margin to 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by freshman Laura Pietropola (Absegami HS/Galloway, N.J.) which scored Brown from third. It was Pietropola's first collegiate hit and run batted in. There was no further scoring until the seventh inning when Drexel tacked on a run in the top half of the frame to make the score 4-1 before the Devils put together their rally which fell just short.

In the opener, the Dragons banged out 18 hits, ten of them for extra bases as they scored at least one run in each of the first for innings en route to an 11-0 five-inning shutout of the Devils. Paige Collings had four hits (single, two doubles and a triple) and drove in two runs as did leadoff hitter Christina Rodriguez (solo home run, double, two singles). Sandi Wambold drove in three runs on two hits, including a bases loaded triple in the second. Katrina Gaudier earned the win for Drexel.

USP had five hits for the game, singles by Bossert, Tu, Morgan, senior Ashley Tobin (Warwick HS/Lititz, Pa.) and junior Annie Abbate (St. John Villa HS/Brooklyn, N.Y.). Sophomore Gina Murray (Sun Valley HS/Brookhaven, Pa.) (0-2) took the loss.

The Devils return to action on Thursday, March 12, 2009 when they host Widener University for a non-conference doubleheader at McNeil Field starting at 3:00 p.m.

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