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Virginia Softball Splits Doubleheader With North Carolina
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April 16, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Third-year pitcher Erin Horn (Tallahassee, Fla./Leon) tossed a five-hit shutout in the nightcap to help the University of Virginia softball team split a doubleheader Saturday (April 16) against North Carolina at the UNC Softball Complex. The Cavaliers lost to UNC 4-1 in the opener, then bounced back for the 2-0 victory in the second game. UVa now stands at 19-25 overall and 6-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while the Tar Heels are 30-22 overall and 5-6 in the ACC.
In the Tar Heels’ 4-1 win in the first game, North Carolina scored an unearned run in the first inning and added two more runs in the second to take an early 3-0 lead. UNC took the lead in the first inning when Cassie Palmer scored on a throwing error on Whitney Gelin’s fielder’s choice grounder to third base. The Tar Heels added two runs in the bottom of the second inning on Anna Evans’ two-run double to right center that scored Palmer and Marissa May. North Carolina’s Jennifer Jacobs made the score 4-0 with a RBI single to center field in the fifth inning.
Fourth-year catcher Jenn Wynn (Herndon, Va./Herndon) broke up the shutout with a solo home run to left center in the sixth inning. It was Wynn’s team-leading sixth homer of the season.
Second-year pitcher Coty Tolar (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter) took the loss in the circle for UVa. Tolar (8-11) allowed four runs, only two of which were earned, in the complete-game effort. She gave up just five hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Crystal Cox picked up the complete-game victory for the Tar Heels. She allowed one run on four hits with nine strikeouts and three walks.
In the second game, Virginia rode the strong pitching of Horn for the 2-0 victory. Horn (7-7) struck out 12 batters in picking up her third shutout of the season. Her 12 strikeouts are one shy of her career high of 13 set in a 10-inning performance against Towson on April 5. Horn allowed five hits and walked two batters.
The Cavaliers scored the only runs of the game in the top of the fourth inning. Third-year right fielder Jessica Taylor (Philadelphia, Pa./Germantown Academy) drew a walk to lead off the inning. Second-year second baseman Elea Crockett (Tucson, Ariz./University) attempted to sacrifice Taylor to second and reached base on an error by UNC’s third baseman. Third-year All-American third baseman Sara Larquier (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs) followed with a double to right center that scored Taylor and moved Crockett to third. The Tar Heels intentionally walked Wynn to load the bases. First-year shortstop Kierstie Cameron (Pinon Hills, Calif./Serrano) plated Crockett with a single to right center to make the score 2-0. UNC’s Cox got out of the jam by striking out the next three Cavaliers.
North Carolina threatened in the bottom of the seventh, but the Cavaliers threw Evans out at the plate on Gelin’s double to left field. Fourth-year left fielder Lauren Dennis (Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon) threw to Cameron and her relay to Wynn at the plate cut down Evans to preserve the shutout. After earning the victory in the first game, Cox took the loss in the nightcap to fall to 15-14 on the season. She allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits with nine strikeouts and five walks while going the distance.
The Cavaliers wrap up the three-game series with North Carolina on Sunday (April 17) with a noon contest.