Softball Hangs Tough, Drops Doubleheader
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April 19, 1998
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia softball team gave sixth-ranked South Florida all it could handle, before dropping a pair of extra innings games in a doubleheader at The Park. The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 2-1 after 10 innings in game-one, before taking the second game 2-1 after 11 innings of play.
Game one, which began on Sunday, (April 19) and was postponed due to rain tied at 0-0, resumed Monday and went scoreless through nine innings until South Florida got on the scoreboard in the tenth inning after Nora Wideikis (run) scored on Andi Michael’s (3-3, 1 RBI) single. Amanda Whitesell (1-4, run) added the game-winning run when UVa left fielder Tish Tablan (1-4) was credited with an error. Virginia’s Stacy Holmes (1-4, run) scored on Lori Reese’s (1-4, 1 RBI) single to close the gap to 2-1. However, USF hung on for the win behind pitcher Monica Triner’s 11 strikeouts. Triner allowed only four hits in the win. UVa’s Stacey Zagol struck out five batters while scattering six hits in the loss. Beth Crimi (1-4) added a single for the Cavaliers in the loss.
In game two, the Cavaliers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Mariruth Graham (3-3, 1 RBI, triple) drove in Karen Breshears (run) in the second inning. South Florida would answer with a run of its own in the fifth inning when Betsy Holler (1-3, run) scored to make it 1-1. The game would remain tied until the top of the 11th inning. USF’s Triner scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball to give South Florida the 2-1 lead. The Bulls would hang on for the win as UVa was unable to score in the bottom of the inning. Jennifer Thompson earned the win after gathering five strikeouts with five hits allowed. UVa’s Chrisy Quinn recorded the loss, despite allowing only four hits to go along with her five strikeouts. Virginia’s Corinne Good (1-4), Holmes (1-4) and Tablan (1-4) added hits in the loss.
Virginia’s record falls to (35-26) overall, (5-7) in the SASA. South Florida improves to (52-10) overall, (10-0) in the conference. The Cavaliers will travel to Tallahassee, Fla. to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. Virginia enters the tournament as the number four seed and will play the number five seed Georgia Tech at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, (April 23) at Lady Seminole Field. The Bulls will travel to Gainesville, Fla. to face the Florida Gators on Saturday, (April 25) at 6:00 p.m.