April 10, 2004
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
ATLANTA – Junior Jessica Sallinger (21-6) threw a one-hit shutout in the nightcap to lead No. 22 Georgia Tech (34-11, 1-3 ACC) to a split against Virginia (28-11, 1-3), 0-2 and 2-0, in Atlantic Coast Conference action this afternoon at Glenn Field. Virginia’s Joanna Barstad (10-7) threw a complete-game shutout in the opener for the Cavaliers, scattering three hits. Senior shortstop Tara Knudsen went 3-for-6 in the doubleheader, smashing her 11th home run of the season.
The opening game was a pitcher’s duel throughout as neither team managed much of a scoring threat in the first three innings. With two outs in the fourth inning, Virginia broke a scoreless tie on a pair of Tech errors to take a 1-0 lead. Sara Larquier advanced the lead to 2-0 with a solo home run as the Cavaliers led by two after four.
UVa put runners on second and third with one out in the sixth inning after two straight singles and a sacrifice bunt. Senior Erin Voeltz retired the next batter on a pop out and intentionally walked Larquier. Voeltz then tallied her eighth strikeout of the game to end the sixth inning, as the score remained 2-0 after five-and-a-half innings of play.
Junior third baseman Kirin Kumar started the Jackets in the bottom of the sixth inning with a line drive off the pitcher’s foot for a single. Kumar stole second base to give Tech its first runner in scoring position of the game. Sophomore right fielder Amy Hosier then drew a walk after a fly out to bring Knudsen to the plate with two runners on. Knudsen flied out to center field and junior second baseman Katie Donovan flied out to right field to end the opportunity for the Yellow Jackets.
Tech did not threaten in the seventh inning, going down in order as the Cavaliers captured game one, 2-0. The Yellow Jackets had three hits and two errors in game one, while Virginia scored two runs, on six hits and had no errors.
Voeltz (13-5) threw all seven innings for the Jackets, scattering six hits, giving up two runs, no earned runs and struck out eight.
In game two, senior Soraya Reddick led off the bottom of the first inning with a base hit to center field and then stole second base on the first pitch. Reddick advanced to third base on a deep fly ball by Hosier as Tech had a runner on third base with one out. UVa’s Barstad retired the next two batters to keep the Yellow Jackets off the scoreboard for the eighth straight inning.
Senior catcher Tasha Waugh started the second inning with a blast off the left field wall for a double. The Cavaliers’ Erin Horn entered the circle for Virginia. Senior left fielder Sara Wissmann welcomed Horn with a base hit to left field to put runners on first and second with no outs. Freshman first baseman Kristina Hull reached on a fielder’s choice on sacrifice bunt, but Waugh was called out after coaching interference was called against the Jackets. Horn then recorded a pop out and a big strikeout to keep the game scoreless.
Knudsen broke the scoreless drought for the Rambling Wreck in the bottom of the third inning with a solo home run to give Tech a 1-0 lead. After the home run, Donovan and junior designated hitter Liz Bartle walked to put runners on first and second with one out. Waugh moved the runners over to second and third on a ground out to the right side and Wissmann drew the third walk of the inning to load the bases with two outs. Horn tallied another big strikeout to keep the damage to just one run.
UVa’s Elea Crockett ended Sallinger’s no-hitter with two outs in the sixth inning with a bunt single to give the Cavaliers runners at first and second. Sallinger struck out the next batter for the third out.
Kumar extended Tech’s lead to two runs in the sixth inning with a two-out RBI single to left field to plate Wissmann who singled to begin the inning.
Sallinger needed only five pitches to register three outs in the final inning. The Kennesaw, Ga., native tallied her 10th shutout of the season, striking out seven in the ballgame. Wissmann finished 2-for-2 in the second game, with a run scored.
Tech scored two runs, on six hits and had one error, while UVa had one hit in game two.
Georgia Tech will host No. 10 Alabama on Tuesday, April 13, for a 3 p.m. non-conference doubleheader. The action can be followed on www.ramblinwreck.com. All home games played at Glenn Field are free admission.
