BYU Shuts Out Virginia 8-0

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<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>LAS VEGAS The Virginia softball team (3-2) was shutout by Brigham Young (5-2) 8-0 in five innings Thursday in the opening game of the 2009 Louisville Slugger Desert Classic, hosted by UNLV. It was the first time this season the Cavaliers failed to score a run.

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The Cavaliers were outhit by BYU 8-2 in the game. Sophomore Alison Pittman and senior Casey Steffan each had singles. Virginia also committed two errors.

Sophomore Allee Rife (0-2) took the loss in the circle for the Orange and Blue. Rife threw two innings but only one of the seven runs BYU scored in that span was earned. Freshman Stephanie Coates came on to toss the final two innings, allowing just one run on three hits while also tallying three strikeouts.

Brigham Young’s Christie Zinanti (3-1) earned the win, allowing the two Cavalier hits in three innings of work. She finished with three strikeouts. Teammate Paige Affleck threw the final two innings.

After the Cougars led 1-0 after the first, BYU would have a big second inning, scoring six runs, all with two outs. A single and a UVa error put two runners on base and a sacrifice bunt moved both runners over. After the second out, Kristi Delahoussaye was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The next batter, Tiffany Messerschmidt, singled up the middle to score a run and another single by Andrea Ramierez scored two to make it 4-0.

With two on, Jessica Purcell homered to center to make it 7-0 in favor of the Cougars. BYU would add another run in the third to take an 8-0 lead.