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March 28, 2001
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The University of Virginia softball team swept a doubleheader from Campbell University Tuesday night (March 27) 9-0 and 5-4 at the Eakes Sports Complex to improve its winning streak to 13 games. UVa is now 30-8 on the season, while Campbell falls to 22-14 In the second game, third-year Kristen Dennis (Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon) hit her 11th home run of the season and 16th of her career to set a new Virginia record for home runs.
With her 16th home run of her career, Dennis broke Carol O’Neal’s (1984-87) school record of 15 homers. Earlier this season Dennis also established a new single season UVa record for home runs with her ninth. On the season, Dennis is batting .438 (46-105) with 36 RBI, 25 walks and 90 total bases.
In the first game, the Cavaliers scored three runs in the top of the first in a 9-0 win. Second-year left fielder Johanna Kaiser (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro) drove in four runs in the game with a two-run double and drew a walk and was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in two runs. Dennis was two for two in the game and scored three runs. First-year shortstop Heather Field (Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln) also scored three runs, while first-year Hannah Owings (Issaquah, Wash./Liberty) drove in a pair of runs with a single.
Third-year pitcher Erin Allinder (Norco, Calif./Norco) earned her ninth win of the season against just one loss, with a three-hit shutout. In six innings of work, Allinder struck out three and walked one. Campbell’s Michelle Carey (10-6) took the loss.
In the nightcap, UVa jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, then held on for a 5-4 victory. In the first inning, Virginia scored four runs with Dennis providing the big blow with a two-run homer to center, her 11th of the season and school-record 16th of her career. The Cavaliers increased their lead to 5-0 with a single run in the second inning. The Fighting Camels cut the UVa lead to 5-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. Campbell added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 5-4.
With UVa leading 5-4 with no outs and a Campbell runner on base in the sixth inning, Allinder relieved first-year starter Joanna Barstad (Canby, Ore./Canby) and earned the save with two scoreless innings of relief. She allowed two hits and struck out one batter in earning her first career save. Barstad improved to 5-1 with the win. She allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits in five innings. Kathy Freaney (10-7) allowed five runs on four hits and took the loss for the Camels.
Fourth-year right fielder Meaghan Young (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) had two hits and scored a run in the second game, while second-year third baseman Ruby Rojas (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei) scored twice.
The Cavaliers return to action on Friday, March 30 when they travel to Greenville, N.C. for Southern Atlantic Softball Alliance doubleheader against East Carolina. The first game is schedule to begin at l:00 p.m.