Temple defeated the Wagner Seahawks on Sunday, 7-1, in the Owls’ second game at the Penn Invitational tournament.
Temple struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Sophomore infielder Kelsey Dominik hit a two-run double to start the scoring, and the Owls never looked back.
Coach Joe DiPietro was happy with his team’s performance, and said they played better than they had in the Owls’ earlier game, in which Temple defeated the Division II Philadelphia University Rams by a score of 5-0.
“We played better in the second game,” DiPietro said. “I wasn’t real enthused by the way we played in the first game [against Philadelphia]. We have a team that’s a lot better than that. I don’t think we came out and played anywhere near the way we’re capable of playing. So it was good to see them come out in the second game and play a lot better. We only have eight games in the fall, so we have to take advantage of all of them.”
The Owls looked good in all aspects of the game, getting 11 solid hits and playing error-free defense. The pitching staff of sophomore Jessica Mahoney, freshman Amanda Gatt, and Dominik allowed only one run on two hits.
Gatt was one of several new players to impress DiPietro.
“I think she’s done pretty well when she’s thrown,” DiPietro said. “[Freshman] Kaylyn Zierke, she’s one of our catchers, but she’s coming off shoulder surgery, so she really can’t throw, but she’s swinging the bat okay.”
DiPietro also spoke well of freshman outfielder Angelique Santos from California, who he said would add some speed to the team, and freshman infielder Jessica Haug. Haug, from Jamison, Pa., was a walk-on to the team and has taken advantage of the opportunity.
“She’s made some really, really nice plays,” DiPietro said. “She’s played really well.”
“I’m happy with just about all of them,” DiPietro added. “You don’t know what you’re going to get with [young players], especially transitioning from high school to Division I. I think they all did a pretty good job.”
DiPietro said he’s glad that he’s getting to see the new players in game time situations, and also said that his roster and starting rotation are starting to shape up.
Overall, DiPietro is pleased with the way his team is looking, heading into a new season in The American.
“I’m happy with the development of how we started in the beginning of the fall, and how we’ve progressed to this point. We still have a ways to go, though.”
Don McDermott can be reached at donald.mcdermott@temple.edu.
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