Cavaliers Shut Out Robert Morris, 4-0, to Open 2013 Season
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Feb. 8, 2013
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BUIES CREEK, N.C.-Senior Melanie Mitchell pitched a complete-game shutout as the Virginia softball team opened the 2013 season with a 4-0 win over Robert Morris Friday morning (Feb. 8) at the Campbell/Hampton Inn Invitational in Buies Creek, N.C.
Mitchell (White Plains, Md.) struck out 16, while only allowing two hits in the 20th shutout and 91st complete game of her career. The first 11 outs recorded for the Colonials (0-1) were strikeouts and Mitchell (1-0) retired the side in order five times. With the start, Mitchell became the UVa all-time leader in career starts with 113.
In the bottom of the third, senior Alex Skinkis (La Palma, Calif.) led off with a single and stole second, before classmate Lauren Didlake (Bowling Green, Va.) walked. After a passed ball advanced the runners, senior Taylor Williams (Woodbridge, Va.) singled to score Skinkis. A two-error play allowed Didlake and Williams to come across home and sophomore Heidi Velk (Murrieta, Calif.) concluded the scoring on a double steal.
UVa (1-0) was aggressive on the base paths, stealing six bases, including Velk and junior Marcy Bowdren (Fairfax Station, Va.) who had two each.
Nicole Sleith (0-1) struck out six with four runs (one earned) in a complete game for Robert Morris.
The Cavaliers play Campbell later in the day Friday at 4 p.m.