April 7, 2002
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – With a five-run sixth inning, Virginia defeated the Georgia Tech softball team (37-11, 6-0 ACC), 10-5, Sunday to capture the title of the 2002 Tar Heel Invitational at the UNC Softball Complex. The Cavaliers also topped the Jackets, 1-0, earlier in the day.
Virginia took an early lead in the title game on a three-run homer by catcher Stephanie Calhoun in the bottom of the first.
After a leadoff triply by center fielder Kelly McCabe in the third chased Tech starter Erin Voeltz from the game, third baseman Ruby Rojas singled off of reliever Tiffany Goodman to extend the Virginia lead to 4-0.
The Cavaliers tacked on an unearned run in the fourth, increasing the margin to 5-0.
Tech finally got on the board in the top of the fifth on a solo home run by designated player Tasha Waugh, her first of the season and the first hit of the game off Virginia starter Erin Allinder. Her blast cut the UVA lead to 5-1.
With four unearned runs in the sixth, Tech tied the score at five. Second baseman Felicia Coursey began the rally with an infield single, the lone hit of the inning. The Jackets capitalized on three Virginia errors, including a dropped popup by shortstop Heather Field, which allowed two runs to score and tied the game at five.
Virginia then struck for five runs on five hits in its half of the sixth to earn the 10-5 victory and the tournament title. Third baseman Ruby Rojas, Calhoun, first baseman Hannah Owings and right fielder MK White each drove in a run.
Tournament MVP Kristin Dennis entered in the sixth and earned the win for Virginia. She is now 20-6 on the season.
Tech reliever Tiffany Goodman took the loss for the Jackets to fall to 7-2.
The Cavaliers jumped out early in the first meeting, as Dennis double scored Field in the first inning, giving Virginia a 1-0 lead.
UVA threatened to increase its lead in the fourth and fifth innings, but Tech hurler Jessica Sallinger was able to work of the jam each time, stranding a total of five runners.
The first-inning run would prove to be enough as Dennis limited Tech to just five hits and no runs. She walked just one and struck out three in her 19th win of the season.
Sallinger pitched well but took the loss for Tech, falling to 17-5. She gave up just four hits but walked six. She also fanned seven.
Tech returns to action Tuesday as the Jackets host Chattanooga for a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Glenn Field.
-GT-
