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Virginia Softball Heads West For Weekend Tournament
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Feb. 15, 2007
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team continues its season by competing in the Worth Wildcat Invitational in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 16-18 at Arizona’s Hillenbrand Stadium. In addition to 2006 national champion, Arizona, the Cavaliers will square off against Middle Tennessee State, Texas Tech and Temple.
Virginia opens the tournament on Friday (Feb. 16) with an 11 a.m. (ET) game against Texas Tech and then the Cavaliers play Middle Tennessee State at 1 p.m. (ET). On Saturday (Feb. 17), UVa plays Temple at 11 a.m. (ET) and host Arizona, which is ranked third in this week’s NFCA/USAToday Top 25 Poll, at 5 p.m. (ET).
The Cavaliers, who are under the direction of second-year head coach Karen Johns, opened the 2007 season with a 3-2 record at the Best Western Invitational (Feb. 9-11) in Tampa, Fla. UVa finished third in the tournament by defeating Arkansas 4-1 in the consolation game. In round-robin play, Virginia notched wins over Western Kentucky (1-0 in 10 innings) and Arkansas (2-1 in 9 innings).
“We are once again excited to get outdoors and seek improvements on the diamond,” said Johns. “Our players are looking forward to the challenges of the tournament in Tucson.”
Arizona went 4-2 in the Kajikawa Classic last weekend. UVa is 0-1 all-time against the Wildcats. Middle Tennessee State is 1-4 on the year, and Virginia is 2-2 all-time against the Blue Raiders. This weekend marks the season-opening action for Temple. The Cavaliers are 7-6 all-time against Temple. Texas Tech is 3-2 on the season and also competed in the Kajikawa Classic. UVa is 0-2 all-time against the Red Raiders.
Fourth-year catcher Michelle Salmiery (San Jose, Calif.) and first-year left fielder/pitcher Nicole Koren (Warminster, Pa.) lead UVa in hitting with .300 averages. Both players went 3-10 at the plate last weekend. In the circle, second-year Karla Wilburn (Del Mar, Calif.) has appeared in all five games and sports 2-2 record with a 1.27 ERA. Wilburn has struck out 20 batters in 22.0 innings pitched.
All of Virginia’s games in the Worth Wildcat Invitational can be followed via gametracker at virginiasports.com