Malerich Leads Seminoles To ACC Softball Title Over Virginia, 2-0

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May. 1, 2000

Box Score

2000 Atlantic Coast Conference Softball Championships

GAME NINE – Championship Game

Florida State 2, Virginia 0

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State sophomore hurler Leslie Malerich earnedAtlantic Coast Conference Softball Tournament Most Valuable Player honors asshe led the Lady Seminoles to a 2-0 victory over Virginia in thechampionship game of the 2000 ACC Softball Championships, played at theSeminole Softball Complex Monday afternoon.

In her third victory of the day (FSU defeated Maryland 3-0 and Virginia 3-1earlier in the day to advance to the championship game), Malerich, whopitched 17 and two-thirds of shutout softball on Monday alone, improved to30-14 overall and recorded her 15 shutout. With the win, FSU improved to44-25 on the year and claimed its eighth ACC title in nine years. With theloss, UVA fell to 27-36.

“We felt like the Maryland game was a warm-up for these two games againstVirginia,” Malerich said. “We had so much energy and adrenaline that wedidn’t feel warn down after our loss on Sunday. I was a little tired, but Ifelt good about the way I pitched. This is all just so exciting.”

Florida State scored two runs off of two hits in the second inning and heldon for the victory behind the strong pitching of Malerich, who fanned fourwhile walking no one. FSU’s Andi Lyons drew a walk to leadoff the inningand was sacrificed to second. Becky Brock hit a base hit over Cavalierthird baseman Karen Breshears’ head, and UVA shortstop Johanna Kaisererrored on the play which sent Lyons to third. Staci Brandon hit the ballsharply to center field for the two-RBI single.

Virginia managed just five hits, including a double by Kristen Dennis.

Pitcher Chrissy Quinn fell to 12-12 with the loss.

“I thought we played well all tournament long,” Virginia Head Coach CherylSprangel said. “Florida State used their speed to beat us today, but ourpitching staff did a great job shutting them down offensively.”

Florida State has now won three consecutive ACC Tournament championshipgames over Virginia.

“What a day,” FSU Head Coach Dr. JoAnne Graf said. “It was a long day, butit was definitely worthwhile. This weekend, and especially today, has shownhow much this team has grown and matured, individually, and as a team.Leslie (Malerich) gave a gutsy performance. She really kept her composure.I couldn’t have asked for a better performance from her.”

Florida State’s Serita Brooks, Natalie Bennett and Staci Brandon joinedMalerich on the ACC All-Tournament Team. Virginia was also well-representedas Meaghan Young, Ruby Rojas, Amy Peay and Chrissy Quinn all receivedall-tourney recognition. Sarah Putnam from Maryland, Heather Sumrow fromGeorgia Tech and Crystal Henderson from North Carolina rounded out the team.

GAME NINE     123   456   7   R H EVirginia      000   000   0   0 5 3Florida State 020   000   x   2 6 0

WP – Leslie Malerich (29-14)

LP – Chrissy Quinn (12-11)

2000 ACC SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS