UVa Drops 3-0 Decision to ECU in Pirate Classic

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GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Virginia softball team (4-1) dropped a 3-0 decision to host East Carolina (4-3) Friday in the Pirate Classic. The Cavaliers finished 1-1 on the day after an 8-0 win over Kent State.

Freshman Erica Cipolloni made her pitching debut for Virginia, earning her first start in the circle. The Philadelphia native threw the first three innings, allowing one run one three hits. She tallied three strikeouts and five walks.

Teammate Melanie Mitchell came on in relief to throw the final three innings. She gave up two runs on three hits and struck out two.

The Cavaliers were outhit 6-2 for the contest. Stephanie Harris and Cipolloni each singled for the Orange and Blue.

East Carolina’s Toni Paisley earned the win in the circle. She did not allow a walk in the complete game shutout and finished with eight strikeouts.

The Pirates scored a run in the bottom of the third and added two more in the fifth.

With one out in the third, Kristi Oshiro singled to left and Rebecca Lee followed with a walk. The next batter, Suzanne Riggs hit in Oshiro with a RBI single.

In the fifth, it was again the top of the ECU order that did the damage. Oshiro walked to lead off. Lee singled and moved to second on the throw in, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Riggs then reached on a Virginia fielding error to load the bases. Teammate Priscilla Velazquez belted a RBI single to score Oshiro and Lewis followed with a single to score Lee.

Virginia continues play in the Pirate Classic with two games on Saturday. The Cavaliers will face Saint John’s at 9 a.m. and Hofstra at 11 a.m.