All Penn's Taylor Tieman needed was a little extra motivation.
And, unknowingly, the Villanova softball team might have handed her just that in the fifth inning of game two.
"I looked over and they had already started packing up all their stuff, and I got kinda pissed," Tieman said.
The irritation was just enough to inspire the freshman to save the game on both sides of the plate.
The Wildcats, who had lost the first game of yesterday's doubleheader to Penn 7-0, looked like they might hold onto a 3-2 lead in game two until Tieman stepped up. The third baseman/pitcher had relieved pitcher Emily Denstedt in the fifth inning to throw two scoreless innings.
Not done yet, Tieman stepped up to bat in the top of the seventh. With one out already, it looked like the Quakers would have to settle for a split. But Tieman walloped a game-winning home run, giving Penn its first twin-bill sweep since last Sunday.
The Quakers (20-16, 5-7 Ivy) came to the Main Line on an eight-game losing streak, its worst since 2006. Tieman, who had slumped all season, was one of several players who made clutch plays to snap the grueling spell.
Penn got the offense flowing quickly with a productive first inning in game one. The Quakers worked the plate well, including a leadoff single by senior tri-captain Annie Kinsey and three walks that forced two runners home.
The offensive showing was a major turnaround from last week, when batters had great difficulty turning baserunners into runs.
"We definitely capitalized on getting those runners free," head coach Leslie King said. "We were extremely patient [at the plate]."
Though it was a reassuring sight, the batters needn't have overextended themselves in game one. After struggling this weekend, freshman Jessie Lupardus (15-7) was back to her old self as she allowed just four hits in the complete-game shutout.
"She neutralized their offense, without a doubt," King said.
Game two proved more challenging, as the plate umpire tightened the strike zone and gave both the Villanova and Penn pitchers trouble.
The Wildcats offense woke up to collect eight hits and three runs off senior pitcher Emily Denstedt, whom King replaced with Tieman in the fifth inning after Villanova slugger Meghan Morese hit a home run to break a 2-2 tie.
Tieman's first batter, Kristen Jelinski, might have given the pitcher a few jitters when she smacked the ball deep to left-center field. But sophomore Keiko Uraguchi wouldn't have it, robbing Jelinski with an over-the-shoulder catch.
Tieman would retake the spotlight in the top of the seventh, however, reading Nicci Ward's pitch perfectly and sending it over the fence for the walk-off shot.
The wins tasted especially sweet. King reaffirmed Tieman's sentiments regarding the Wildcats' demeanor.
"Villanova is a team that we love to beat," King said. "We don't really like each other very much."
