May 9, 2004

BLACKSBURG - Behind two strong pitching performances, the Virginia Tech softball team wrapped up its season with a sweep of Liberty University Sunday afternoon at Tech Softball Park. Tech won the first game 3-0 before taking a 7-1 decision in the second game.

In the opener, Katie Maynard tossed her second no-hitter of the season and the third perfect game in school history as the Hokies rolled to a 3-0 win. The sophomore from Lancaster, Ohio, struck out five to finish the season with a 15-12 record. She threw an eight-inning no-hitter at Providence on April 24. She also combined to no-hit Liberty last season in a loss at Lynchburg. Ashlee Dobbe had the other two perfect games in school history.

The Hokies got on the board in the third inning when Sarah Prosise's infield single scored Callie Rhodes. Rhodes reached on a single and then stole her 31^st base of the season before moving to third on Kelly Brown's bunt that turned into a double.

Tech got two more runs in the fourth inning. Megan Evans led off with a double to center field and moved to third on Rachel Pacheco's ground out. Evans scored on Mindi Wylie's double to the gap. Wylie scored to make it 3-0 on Rhodes' single to left field.

At the plate, both Prosise and Rhodes led the way with two hits apiece. Evans, Wylie, Kelly Brown and Caitlin Murphy each had a hit.

In the second game, Tech got on the board in the second inning after a 36-minute rain delay in the bottom of the first inning. With two out, Rhodes tripled to center field and scored on Brown's infield single.

The Flames tied the game up at 1-1 in the fifth inning when Terra Lowe doubled and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Tech responded with six runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 7-1 lead. The big blow came on a three-run home run from Ciara Chaffee, giving Tech a big lead. Murphy (error), Wylie (infield single) and Pacheco (sacrifice fly) also had an RBI in the inning.

In the circle, Karie Morrison (W, 8-3) went 6.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits. She walked one while striking out three. Megan Stone pitched the final inning in relief.

At the plate, Brown, Prosise, Wylie and Chaffee each had two hits. Shanel Garofalo had a single to left field in her final Tech at-bat and Rhodes also had a hit, her first triple of the season.

Tech finishes the season a record of 36-23. Liberty falls to 19-42 but will head to Birmingham, Ala., next weekend for the Big South Conference Tournament.