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Softball Defeats Eastern Michigan in Home Opener
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March 3, 1999
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia softball team made its first appearance at The Park after returning home from a 13-game swing in which the Cavaliers made appearances in both the UNC Triangular Classic Tournament and the UCSB Easton Invitational Tournament. Virginia played host to the Eastern Michigan Eagles in UVa’s home opener.
Mariruth Graham (1-1) and Jen Krill (1-3) were a two-person wrecking crew for the Cavaliers. Both Graham and Krill recorded two RBI’s and each player scored a run for Virginia. Graham got things started off for the Cavaliers after she walked, stole a base and then scored a run to give UVa an early 1-0 lead in the second inning. Virginia kept the heat on EMU in the decisive third inning after Krill drove in Corinne Good (run) and Lori Reese (1-3, stolen base) with a single. Graham later singled to score Karen Breshears (run) and Krill to make the score 5-0 after three innings of play.
Eastern Michigan made a late charge when the Eagles scored two runs in the fifth inning, but the rally fell short as the Cavaliers posted a 5-2 victory in the first game of the scheduled doubleheader.
Stacey Zagol went the entire distance for Virginia on the mound. She pitched seven innings and spread out three hits, two runs (both unearned) while collecting two strikeouts. EMU’s Stacie Wolf had a rough outing, as she pitched two and two-thirds innings and allowed four hits, five runs, (four earned), five walks and tallied one strikeout. She was replaced by Aimee Hamilton (1-3) who pitched an impressive three and one-third innings of work. Hamilton rendered only one hit and a walk while gathering the Eagles second strikeout of the afternoon.
Kristen Dennis (1-2) and Meaghan Young (1-3) each recorded a double for UVa in the win, while Lisa Beavers (1-3, run) and Jennifer Deland (1-3) posted hits for EMU in the loss.
The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was postponed due to heavy rain and lightning. The contest has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 4th at 3:00 p.m. and will be played at The Park.
With the win, Virginia’s record improves to 7-7 on the season and stretches UVa’s current win streak to three games. The loss drops Eastern Michigan’s record to 4-3 on the season.
After UVa’s second game with the Eagles, Virginia will return to action on Friday, March 5th when UVa plays Eastern Michigan (12:00 p.m.) and North Carolina (4:00 p.m.) on day-one of the UVa Cavalier Classic Tournament. The tournament is hosted by Virginia and all games will be played at the Park.