April 30, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Virginia Tech softball team suffered a pair of damaging losses to the University of Virginia Saturday afternoon at The Park. In the first game, the Cavaliers picked up 4-1 win before rolling to a 9-1, five-inning win.

The Hokies jumped out to an early lead in the first inning thanks to the first career triple from catcher Megan Evans. Kelly Brown led off the game with a flair single to left and moved to second on Caitlin Murphy's team-leading 12^th sacrifice bunt of the season. Evans then laced a shot down the right field line, scoring Brown to give Tech a 1-0 advantage. For Evans, it was her first three-bagger in 637 career official at bats.

The Cavaliers tied the game up in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Jenn Wynn, scoring Jessica Taylor, and then took a 3-1 lead in the fourth on Elea Crockett's two-RBI single to left. Lindsey Preuss then gave the 'Hoos a three-run lead with a solo home run in the fifth inning.

The Hokies had their chances, twice loading the bases, but twice Stephanie Savre couldn't pick up the big hit. She grounded out once and struck out the other time, leaving six on.

At the plate, Brown, Murphy and Theresa Walsh each had a pair of hits. Evans had the other hit and the lone Tech RBI and also drew two more walks.

In the circle, Katie Maynard (L, 16-11) struggled, giving up four earned runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out four.

The second game marked the return of freshman Angela Tincher to the circle after missing three weeks with a pair of stress fractures in her left fibula. Per doctor's orders, she was allowed to pitch just one inning.

The Cavaliers plated a run in the first off of Tincher when Wynn singled through the left side to drive in Crockett.

Maynard took over in the second and proceeded to load the bases before Crockett ripped a triple down the right-field line to plate three and make it 4-0. On the next play Sara Larquier reached on a fielder's choice and scored when Kathleen Jones' throw sailed into right field, making it 6-0. After Maynard was pulled for Karie Morrison, Morrison gave up a bunt single and a two-run double to the gap to give UVa an 8-0 lead and cap a seven-run inning.

In the fourth, Savre led off with a single to center and Caroline Stolle drove her in with a double to the gap. Virginia ended the game in the fifth when Crockett lifted a sacrifice fly to left to make it 9-1.

In the circle, Tincher (L, 17-5) got the start, and showed a little rust from the time off. She went one inning, allowing one earned run on two hits and giving up two walks. Tincher, who came into the game ranked third in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (12.23), did nothing to hurt her cause there, striking out three in her lone inning of work. She now has 271 strikeouts for the season, placing her just 20 away from breaking the Tech single-season strikeout record of 290 set by Ashlee Dobbe in 2002. If she feels no pain, she will be allowed to pitch a few more innings against Winthrop on Thursday.

Maynard faced six batters, failing to get an out. She gave up six runs (five earned) on two hits while walking one. Morrison went the final 3.2 innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits while striking out one.

At the plate, Savre led the way with two hits while Brown, Alisia Narodowski and Stolle each had a hit.

Tech (37-20, 3-13 ACC) and UVa (29-29, 9-7 ACC) will conclude its three-game series Sunday with a single game starting at noon.

With the losses Saturday, Maryland has locked up the ACC Tournament's No. 6 seed while the Hokies will be the No. 7 seed and will face second-seeded Florida State in the first round. Georgia Tech has locked up the No. 1 seed, while the Cavaliers will be the No. 3 seed. North Carolina State will be the No. 4 seed and North Carolina will be the No. 5 seed.