Virginia Drops Doubleheader to Georgia Tech

Story Links

March 9, 2013

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
Video Highlights

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

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.—The Virginia softball team opened up 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday, March 9, falling to Georgia Tech, 7-3 and 5-2 at The Park in Charlottesville. With the losses, the Cavaliers fell to 8-10 (0-2 ACC), while the Yellow Jackets improved to 13-11 (2-0 ACC).

In the first game, junior Karli Johnson (Lovettsville, Va.) hit a home run over the left-center field fence to lead off the top of the second and give the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth with score tied, 1-1, Georgia Tech’s Hope Rush hit a home run to left to break the tie and Courtney Ziese’s single that scored Katie Johnsky extended the lead to 3-1.

GT pushed the lead to 7-1 with a four-run fifth inning that included a Rush three-run home run to left center.

Sophomore Megan Harris (Knoxville, Tenn.) launched a two-run long ball to left center that scored junior Marcy Bowdren (Fairfax Station, Va.) and cut the Yellow Jacket lead to 7-3 in the fifth.

Senior Melanie Mitchell (White Plains, Md.) allowed seven runs in 4.1 innings of work with six strikeouts in the loss. Freshman Aimee Chapdelaine (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) pitched 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.

Georgia Tech’s Ashley Clifton (2-2) allowed three runs on five hits in a complete game win.

In the second game, Alysha Rudnik hit a two-run home run the first inning and Karly Fullem threw a complete game, as the Yellow Jackets were victorious, 5-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, freshman Shannon McGinley doubled off the right field wall and came home on a senior Kristen Hawkins (Elizabeth, Pa.) home run to left center.

Mitchell (6-6) allowed four runs (two earned) in three innings with four strikeouts. She now has 931 career strikeouts, one shy of Michelle Collins (932) for the most in UVa history. Chapdelaine struck out three and gave up one unearned run in four innings of relief.

Fullem (2-0) allowed three hits and two runs to earn the complete game win.

The two teams conclude the three-game series Sunday, March 10, at noon at The Park.