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Virginia Softball Falls To Drake In Worth Invitational
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Feb. 21, 2003
TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Virginia softball team suffered its first loss of the 2003 season when the Cavaliers fell to Drake University 9-4 in the Worth Invitational hosted by the University of Arizona. The Bulldogs’ Katie Shimon hit a pair of three-run homers in leading Drake to the win. With the loss, Virginia falls to 3-1 on the season, while Drake improves to 6-1.
Drake jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on Shimon’s three-run homer. The Cavaliers answered with a single run in the bottom of the first. Third-year shortstop Heather Field (Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln) singled to lead off the inning and eventually scored on third-year first baseman Hannah Owings’ (Issaquah, Wash./Liberty) single to left field. The Cavaliers tied the game at 3-3 with a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Owings led off the inning with a single and scored on second-year designated player Jenn Wynn’s (Herndon, Va./Herndon) double to center field. First-year Rachel Goings (Clifton Forge, Va./Alleghany), pinch running for Wynn, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single to second base by third-year pitcher Joanna Barstad (Canby. Ore./Canby).
The Bulldogs grabbed the lead again with a single tally in the fifth inning, only to have UVa come right back and tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom half of the frame. Fourth-year third baseman Ruby Rojas (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei) reached on a two-base error by the shortstop to lead off the inning. Owings then came through with her third hit of the game to score Rojas from second base to knot the contest at 4-4. The Bulldogs, however, took the lead for good with a single run in the sixth inning. Drake added four insurance runs, including Shimon’s second three-run bomb, in the seventh to break the game open.
Barstad (1-1) took the loss in the circle for the Cavaliers as she allowed five runs on nine hits in five innings of work. First-year pitcher Erin Horn (Tallahassee, Fla./Leon) pitched the final two innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits. Jessica Hicks picked up the victory with 3.1 innings of relief work in place of Shimon. Hicks allowed just two hits and one unearned run. Shimon pitched the first 3.2 innings and gave up three runs on five hits.
The Cavaliers continue action in the Worth Invitational when they play New Mexico at 9:00 p.m. eastern time Friday night. UVa will also play two games in the tournament Saturday and a single game Sunday.