While many Penn students meandered lazily through campus enjoying the warm spring weather, the Penn softball team took to the field to square off against intracity rival Temple.
Although the sun was out, it didn't seem to help the Quakers (11-20, 0-6 Ivy) who were unable to send a player across the plate at Temple's Erny Field.
The Red and Blue fell to the Owls (16-20, 6-3 Atlantic-10), 2-0, in a low-scoring, well-pitched afternoon matinee.
With the win over Penn, Temple extended its current win streak to a total of seven games.
The Quakers, who as of late have been playing solid defense and pitching accurately, were once again troubled at bat.
Penn tallied only two hits the entire game against Temple's junior pitcher Liz Naugton. Naugton, who struck out seven batters, notched her sixth win of the 2002 season.
Penn freshman designated hitter Samantha Matherne recorded the first hit of the game in the top of the second inning with a single up the middle. She was left stranded on base when senior Lindsey Wagner hit a pop fly and junior Danielle Landolt struck out.
Penn's only other hit came from junior catcher Deborah Kowalchuk in the top of the sixth. Kowalchuk singled and then advanced to second on the throw, but was left on base.
The Owls responded in the bottom of the second, when Bari Lynn Pflueger singled down the right side. Pflueger crossed home plate when the Quakers made an error off of another Temple hit -- this time by Aida Esquer.
Esquer, a leftfielder, continued to play tough defense, and also aided her team at the plate with an unblemished 2 for 2 on the day.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Owls struck again.
Lynsey Grace singled up the middle, stole second and then crossed the plate after sophomore catcher Alexis Gary doubled up the middle. Grace went 2 for 3 on the day, with two singles and two stolen bases.
After the fourth inning, the teams remained deadlocked.
Temple and Penn each left a total of four players stranded on base during the course of the game.
Penn pitcher Nicole Borgstadt tallied just two strikeouts in the loss.
The Quakers are now on a six-game losing streak, and desperately searching for a positive reinforcement.
This weekend the Red and Blue will attempt to avenge their recent troubles against Dartmouth in Hanover, N.H.
Penn is currenlty winless in the Ivy League.
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