Eagles Comeback Yet Again, Defeat Villanova 3-2

Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University softball team closed out the FGCU Invitational with wins in its final two games after a 3-2 victory over Villanova at the FGCU Softball Complex Sunday, Feb. 28. Sophomore Jessica Richards' steal of home plate proved the difference for the Eagles on a thrilling day in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Eagles (3-2) used momentum to push across all three runs in their win over the Villanova Wildcats (3-6). Richards, who knocked in a three-run triple to tie the score at 7-7 in game one against Georgia Southern, scored the winning run by stealing home in the seventh inning with two outs against Villanova in game two. The Eagles have won two in a row and the second against the Wildcats in three days.

The Eagles picked up right where they left off following their comeback win against Georgia Southern as Jenny Scherer made it 1-0 in the first with a one out RBI double to left center, scoring Richards from second base.

Villanova took a while to respond thanks to Eagle pitcher Jenna Ignowski's strong start early on. Ignowski held the Wildcats in check for the first two innings, before Jess O'Boyle tripled down the right field line with two outs in the third to drive in Danielle Maricle. A breakdown in the defense for EMU allowed two runs to score that inning as Maricle reached on a fielding miscue by freshman Katy Blaharski at second base. The next hitter, which would have been the third out of the frame, lined out.

In the fifth, the Wildcats had a chance to extend their lead with runners on first and second with two outs. Molly Manning singled to left and O'Boyle tried to score, but Richards got the ball in quickly and Lauren Delapaz made an accurate throw home to Nellie Coquillard to cut down the potential insurance run and keep the deficit at 2-1.

"The turning point in the game, I believe, was the play at home," Interim Head Coach Eric Oakley said. "Nellie Coquillard held onto the ball despite a collision that shook her up."

That built momentum that led into the top of the sixth for the Green and White. Stacie Skodinski doubled to center and Gerber reached on a fielding error by the VU third baseman. A sacrifice bunt by McKenna Russ advanced both runners to second and third and Kaylee Tolliver squeezed in Skodinski to tie the game with a surprise bunt of her own.

The Eagles escaped another huge jam in the sixth when Villanova put runners at second and third with nobody out. Ignowski got Julie Smith to ground back to her for the first out while not allowing either runner to advance. The next batter, Christina Botkins, then grounded to the Eagle shortstop, Skodinski, who fired home to stop Stephanie Zrebiec in her tracks before Gerber gunned her out at third to end the rundown. With two outs and runners at first and second, Ignowski ended the threat by getting Maricle to ground out to third.

With the momentum once again in favor of the Eagles and the top of the order coming up in the form of Richards, EMU was able to push across the go-ahead run. Richards, who led off with a single, advanced to third on a pair of groundouts, then stole home to put the Eagles on top 3-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

"The steal home was a great read by Jessica Richards," Oakley said. "She saw an opening and took initiative."

In that final frame, Ignowski (1-2) retired the side in order to complete yet another come-from-behind victory, the team's second of the day. The freshman earned her first win as an Eagle, going the distance in allowing two runs (none earned) while scattering nine hits, striking out two and walking just one.

"What impressed me today was leadership and resilience, especially after a tough day yesterday and a rough first inning today," Oakley said. "Jenny Scherer showed great leadership with her bat and in the huddles between innings. Her home runs inspired confidence in others. I can't say enough about the day Richards had. She showed great confidence all day. Jamie and Jenna both pitched well. It was a well-fought day."

The Eagles will have off on Monday before taking on Florida Gulf Coast in a 5 p.m. showdown Tuesday, March 2 in Fort Myers, Fla.

2010 FGCU Spring Break Invitational All-Tournament Team

P – Brianna Streetmon (Georgia Southern)
P – Lacey Middlebrooks (Minnesota)
DP – Megen Smith (Georgia Southern)
DP – Raquel Rugani (St. Francis)
C – Amanda Marquez (Villanova)
IF – Hayley O'Mara (FGCU)
IF – Stacie Skodinski (Eastern Michigan)
IF – Julianne Towers (Connecticut)
IF – Taylor Darnielle (St. Francis)
OF – Jessica Gary (FGCU)
OF – Jenny Scherer (Eastern Michigan)
OF – Marie Fogle (Georgia Southern)
Utility (P/DP) – Molly Manning (Villanova)

Tournament MVP – Nina Iduate (Georgia Southern)

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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