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May 10, 2002
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – North Carolina got three hits and three RBI fromAll-ACC player Quinn Porter while pitcher Shannon Walsh out-dueledVirginia ace Kristen Dennis in a 6-0 victory in game one of the 2002Atlantic Coast Conference Softball Championship at the Seminole SoftballComplex.
The Tar Heels (32-28) advance to play No. 1 seed Florida State (48-15)later this evening at 7 p.m. Virginia will play the loser of game twobetween Maryland and Georgia Tech tomorrow at 11 a.m.
Walsh entered the game losing her last four decisions, but was effectiveboth at the plate and in the circle. She added two RBI in the game enroute to her third shutout of the season. Walsh (13-14) fanned sevenwhile allowing four hits and five walks. The Cavaliers couldn’t takeadvantage when they had runners in scoring position however as they leftnine runners on base.
“I think it was one of the best games I pitched this year,” said Walsh.”We wanted to leave everything out on the field to say ‘that’s the bestwe’ve got,’ that’s how I felt on the mound.”
North Carolina roughed up Dennis, the 2002 ACC Player of the Year, inthe first inning. Following an error and a bunt single, Porter droppeda 2-0 pitch into left center driving in two runs to give North Carolinathe early lead. A RBI double by Jessica Young and a sacrifice fly byWalsh gave North Carolina a 4-0 advantage. It was only the third timethis season that Dennis gave up as many as four runs in an inning. Shethrew 34 of her 89 pitches in the opening frame and lasted just 4 1/3innings. She allowed five runs on nine hits, but only two of those runswere earned and fell to 23-11 this season.
Virginia (44-21) had its best chance to score in the fourth inning.Ruby Rojas led off the inning with a single followed by walks to Dennisand Hannah Owings. Walsh got out of the jam by striking out two arounda force play at the plate. The Cavaliers loaded the bases again in thefifth with two outs, but Owings drive to the warning track in right wassnagged by Rosie Gustavson.
Live statistics and recaps of all the games of the 2002 ACC SoftballChampionship are available at theACC.com.