Virginia Defeats Memphis, Falls to LSU at Purple and Gold Challenge

Story Links

Feb. 15, 2013

Memphis Box Score
LSU Box Score

Become a Fan of Virginia Softball on Facebook
Follow Virginia Softball on Twitter

BATON ROUGE, La.–Senior Melanie Mitchell pitched a complete game shutout as the Virginia softball team defeated Memphis, 2-0, in the first game of the Purple and Gold Challenge Friday in Baton Rouge, La. In the second game of the day, the Cavaliers (3-2) fell to No. 10/11 LSU, 7-2.

Mitchell (2-0) tossed her 21st career shutout and 92nd career complete game, allowing five hits with four strikeouts against Memphis (1-6). With her next complete game, Mitchell will move into a tie for most complete games in UVa history with Michelle Collins (93). Mitchell has two shutouts with 20 strikeouts in two appearances this season.

In the top of the second, sophomore Megan Harris (Knoxville, Tenn.) doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning and came home on a freshman Shannon McGinley (Prarie Village, Kan.) RBI single up the middle.

Harris led off the fourth with a single and went all the way home on a RBI double by senior Kristen Hawkins (Elizabeth, Pa.) for the final run of the game.

Ellen Roberts (0-4) allowed six hits and two runs in a complete game loss for Memphis.

In the second game, two three-run innings fueled LSU (7-1) to a 7-2 win over UVa.

In the top of the third, senior Alex Skinkis (La Palma, Calif.) walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a senior Taylor Williams (Woodbridge, Va.) sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Heidi Velk (Murrieta, Calif.) singled and advanced to second on the throw, moving Skinkis to third. Junior Marcy Bowdren (Fairfax Station, Va.) hit a groundout to the shortstop, but the throw home got away from the LSU catcher, allowing Skinkis and Velk to score and give UVa a 2-1 lead.

The Tigers sent nine batters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs. LSU’s Bianka Bell home run in the fifth started another three-run inning that ended with the Tigers leading 7-2.

Freshman Aimee Chapdelaine (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) allowed seven runs in 4.2 innings pitched with three strikeouts to take the loss (1-2). Classmate Emma Mitchell (Doswell, Va.) pitched 1.2 innings in relief.

Meghan Patterson (2-1) threw pitched a complete game, allowing two runs (one earned) with four strikeouts for the win.

The Cavaliers are back in action Saturday as the Purple and Gold Challenge continues, facing North Dakota State at 3:30 p.m. and LSU at 6 p.m.