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April 5, 2007
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team hosts in-state rival Virginia Tech in a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series this weekend at The Park. The series, which marks another installment of the Commonwealth Challenge, presented by Comcast, begins Friday (April 6) with a 4 p.m. contest. The two teams will square off in a doubleheader Saturday (April 7) beginning at 1 p.m. Admission is free of charge.
Free hot dogs and Pepsi will be available for all fans on Friday while supplies last. Cavalier One will be on-site and raffle prizes, including tickets to the May 5 Rod Stewart concert at the John Paul Jones Arena and books for the 2007 fall semester for a UVa student, will be awarded during Friday’s game.
The Cavaliers enter the weekend with a 14-24 overall record and a 1-8 mark in the ACC. Virginia has won its last three games and is coming off a doubleheader sweep over Towson Tuesday (April 3) at The Park. UVa won by scores of 5-3 and 4-2.
Virginia Tech stands at 29-12 overall and 6-3 in the ACC. The Hokies, who are ranked 23rd in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll, split a doubleheader at Longwood on Wednesday (April 4). Virginia Tech fell in the opener 3-2, but won the nightcap 13-8.
The Hokies hold a slim 13-12 lead in the all-time series. Last season, the two teams split four meetings. Virginia Tech won two of three matchups during the regular season in Blacksburg, while UVa registered a 3-0 win during the ACC Tournament in Chapel Hill, N.C. In 2005, the Cavaliers played Virginia Tech five times with the Hokies winning three of those contests.
“This will be a true challenge and wonderful opportunity for our team,” said head coach Karen Johns. “We are excited that we are playing at home in front of our great Virginia fans.”
Virginia leads the Commonwealth Challenge against Virginia Tech 13.5-5.5. The winner of this weekend’s series earns one point in the friendly competition.
Friday’s game will be broadcast on ACC Select (ACCSelect.com) on a delayed basis. The entire series can be followed live via gametracker at virginiasports.com.