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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team (19-22) split a doubleheader with Delaware State Wednesday at The Park. The Cavaliers won the first game 2-0 before dropping the second contest, 5-3.

Delaware State moves to 23-11 on the year.

In the first game, sophomore pitcher Melanie Mitchell tossed a one-hitter and recorded 10 strikeouts en route to the complete game shutout victory.

Offensively, the Cavaliers compiled eight hits against the Hornets, including a multi-hit performance from junior Giannina Cipolloni. Alison Pittman, Stephanie Harris, Alex Skinkis, Kristen Hawkins, Cynthia Javaras and Taylor Williams also recorded singles in the winning effort, while Pittman and Erica Cipolloni had the team’s RBI.

Giannina Cipolloni led off the bottom of the first with a triple to right field and scored when the next batter, Pittman, grounded out to the right side. Virginia took a 1-0 advantage after one complete inning of play.

The Cavaliers recorded their second run in the bottom of the fifth. Williams singled to third and stole second to lead off the stanza. The next batter, Giannina Cipolloni, laid down a bunt single that she beat out as Williams took third. Cipolloni then stole second and moved to third as Williams was gunned down at home on a fielder’s choice. Erica Cipolloni then flied out to center, deep enough for the sacrifice fly which allowed her sister to score from third.

Amber Coburn took the loss for the Hornets. She threw the first 4 1/3 innings and gave up six hits and one walk. Teammate Stephanie Sarris came on to pitch the final 1 2/3 and allowed two hits with a strikeout.

It was Delaware State that struck first in game two with a run in the top of the first inning. Virginia was able to tie the game in the third but the Hornets put up two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to pull out the victory.

DSU outhit the Cavaliers 7-6 in the contest. Erica Cipolloni led the way with a three-for-four performance at the plate while Giannina Cipolloni added two hits. Kristen Hawkins also doubled and Skinkis had a single.

In the third, Giannina Cipolloni recorded another bunt single and stole second; she scored on Erica Cipolloni’s double to center. UVa’s second run came after Giannina Cipolloni led off with a double and moved to third on a sac bunt by Pittman. She then came into score on Erica Cipolloni’s swinging bunt.

Mitchell threw all seven innings and game two and took the loss. She allowed four earned runs and had eight strikeouts and two walks.

DSU’s Casey Beighley was credited with the win after throwing the first 4 1/3 innings. She allowed two runs on four hits with a strikeout and five walks. Sarris came on for the save, tossing the final 2 2/3 innings and allowing one run on two hits.

The Cavaliers will play host to Virginia Tech at 6 p.m. Friday.

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