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Feb. 16, 2002

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Virginia softball team successfully opened its 2002 season by registering a pair of victories Friday (February 15) in pool play of the Triangle Classic at Walnut Creek Park in Raleigh, N.C. The Cavaliers posted a 6-0 win over Ohio University in their first game and then came from behind to beat UNC-Greensboro 4-3 to win Pool 1. UVa moves on to play Minnesota Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

In the 6-0 win over Ohio, fourth-year All-American Kristen Dennis (Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon) limited the Bobcats to one hit in earning the victory in the circle. Dennis struck out nine batters and walked three in tossing a complete-game shutout. Second-year shortstop Heather Field (Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln), third-year third baseman Ruby Rojas (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei) and first-year right fielder Val Sevilla (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga) each collected a pair of hits. Field drove in four runs and scored once, while Rojas scored two runs.

The Cavaliers led 2-0 after six innings and sealed the victory by scoring four runs in the top of the seventh. Field drove in a pair of runs in the seventh frame with a double.

In the its second game of the day, Virginia trailed 1-0 and 3-1, but scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to secure the victory. Sevilla earned her first collegiate win with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief in place of second-year starter Joanna Barstad (Canby, Ore./Canby). Barstad allowed three runs only one of which was earned in 4.2 innings of work. She struck out two and did not walk a batter. Sevilla struck out three batters and walked one. Sevilla also helped her own cause, as she was one of three Cavaliers with two hits in the game. Field and graduate student Kelly McCabe (Maple Glen, Pa./Upper Dublin) also recorded a pair of hits for UVa.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth, UVa loaded the bases with no outs and Dennis delivered Sevilla with the Cavaliers’ second run of the game with a sacrifice fly. After an infield popup, first-year catcher Jenn Wynn (Herndon, Va./Herndon) reached on an outfield error, which allowed McCabe and Rojas to score the tying and winning runs, respectively.

Virginia continues play in the Triangle Classic Saturday (February 16) with a 1:00 p.m. game against Minnesota. The tournament concludes Sunday.

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