It was another "coulda, woulda, shoulda" performance by the Penn softball team, according to coach Leslie King Moore.
The Quakers lost, 4-0, at Temple despite outhitting the Owls 4-3 and despite Penn starting pitcher Lindsey Permar not giving up an earned run.
The Owls (15-13, 1-1 Atlantic 10) scored all four of their unearned runs in the sixth inning, a frame which saw the Quakers commit three errors.
The inning started when Temple's Jessica Rohn reached on sophomore shortstop Jen Nichols' error. An infield hit followed by a sacrifice and an intentional walk loaded the bases.
Temple's Alexis Gary then slapped a grounder to Nichols, who overthrew Penn catcher Kaelin Ainley at the plate. Rohn scored the eventual winning run on Nichols' second error of the inning.
Adrienne Repsher doubled for the Owls to pick up her two RBIs on the day and extend the lead to 3-0. Temple pinch runner Emily Moller scored from third in the next at-bat as Nichols recorded her third error.
Permar finished with six strikeouts and only one walk in addition to the three hits and four unearned runs.
"Lindsey Permar pitched a fantastic game," Moore said. While the pitching was solid and the defense was shaky, it was the game's third aspect, hitting, that further hurt the Quakers (8-18-1, 0-2 Ivy). Penn has not scored in its last three games, including a doubleheader against Princeton last weekend
Senior Erin O'Brien, sophomore Meghan Cowen, freshman Julia Cheney and Nichols picked up the only hits for Penn, which had batters strike out with runners on third and two outs on two separate occasions.
Temple freshman Richelle Villescas did not walk a batter and struck out five to earn the shutout. Yesterday afternoon was different than most for the Quakers, as they only played one game instead of the usual doubleheader. Moore is just fine with that.
"It is different," Moore said. "I actually enjoyed it. You can go out there and give everything you have knowing that you're just going to play one game."
The Quakers return to doubleheaders, and to Ivy League competition, this weekend as they face Harvard tomorrow and Dartmouth Saturday.
Moore is not worried about the slump heading into the heart of Ivy League competition.
"There is a lot of parity in the league," Moore said. "We just need to play well. I hope we peak at the right time."
