Story Links
March 8, 2003
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Virginia softball team improved to 3-0 in the 49er Invitational with a pair of victories Saturday (March 8) at Phillips Complex. The Cavaliers began the day with a 7-2 victory over Liberty and then registered a 3-1 win over Wright State. With the two victories, UVa improves to 9-10 on the season.
In the 7-2 win over Liberty, first-year catcher Sara Larquier (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs) and third-year shortstop Heather Field (Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln) both recorded a pair of hits. First-year Erin Horn (Tallahassee, Fla./Leon) allowed two runs, only one of which was earned, on four hits in earning the victory in the circle. She struck out five batters in improving to 4-5 on the season.
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Field was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and moved to second on second-year right fielder M.K. White’s (Vienna, Va./James Madison’s) single to center. Both runners advanced on fourth-year first baseman Ruby Rojas’ (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei) sacrifice bunt. Field and White scored on Larquier’s single to center. Larquier came around to score on an error by the shortstop.
The Flames cut the UVa lead to 3-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Liberty used two hits, a wild pitch and an error to score its two runs. Virginia increased its lead to 4-2 in the fourth inning. Second-year second baseman Lauren Dennis (Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon) reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second base. She then scored on Field’s single to left field.
UVa broke the game open with three runs in the fifth. Rojas and second-year designated player Jenn Wynn (Herndon, Va./Herndon) scored on fourth-year center fielder Katie Weinberg’s (Reston, Va./South Lakes) single to center field. Larquier, who had singled to move Rojas and Wynn into scoring position, scored on fourth-year left fielder Johanna Kaiser’s (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro) sacrifice fly to make the score 7-2.
The Cavaliers scored single runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings in a 3-1 victory over Wright State. Rojas and third-year third baseman Tracy Sherman (San Clemente, Calif./St. Margaret’s Episcopal) both had a pair of hits as UVa improved to 3-0 in the tournament with the victory.
With one out in the third inning, Rojas doubled to left center and scored on Larquier’s two-out double to center. Rojas also scored in the fifth inning. With one out, Rojas reached on an error and stole second base. She moved to third when the shortstop failed to catch the throw on her stolen base. The Cavaliers then pulled off a double steal with Larquier taking second and Rojas scoring.
In the sixth, Wright State used two walks, a hit batter and a bases loaded single to cut UVa’s lead to 2-1. Field added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning with a solo home run, her third round tripper of the season.
First-year Christina Grimm (Los Osos, Calif./Morro Bay) earned her second victory of the season with a complete-game effort. She gave up one run on four hits and tallied six strikeouts.
The Cavaliers conclude play in the 49er Invitational on Sunday (March 9). UVa plays Akron at noon. The championship game of the tournament with take place at 2:00 p.m.