The Virginia softball team split a doubleheader with the visiting Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Saturday afternoon at The Park. The doubleheader was the ACC opener for both squads. The Cavaliers (26-17, 1-1 ACC) captured the first game, 6-1, behind the arm of freshman pitcher Christina Grimm but fell, 2-0, in the second.
Georgia Tech sophomore pitcher Jessica Sallinger pitched a complete game, four-hit shutout to lead the Jackets (27-16, 1-1 ACC) to victory in the second game of the day.
"They have one awesome pitcher, and she's been pretty dominant," Virginia coach Cheryl Sprangel said.
In the first game, Grimm silenced the bats of Georgia Tech, giving up only four hits and one earned run, improving her record to 9-4 on the season.
"She's made great improvements," Sprangel said. "That's why she started the first game because you go after the first game with what you think is the best."
Leading the Cavaliers offensively in the first game were sophomore catcher Jenn Wynn and junior first baseman Hannah Owings. Wynn went 2-for-4 and Owings went 2-for-3 in the game to support Grimm's performance on the mound. Junior shortstop Heather Field opened the scoring in the first inning with a solo home run to dead center.
By the end of the fourth inning, Virginia had taken a 5-0 lead en route to the 6-1 win.
"I think every time I go out there I'm getting better," Grimm said. "The team is starting to trust me, and I'm starting to trust them."
The second game of the afternoon was a different story, as the momentum shifted to the side of Georgia Tech.
Sallinger kept the Cavalier hitters at bay, striking out nine in seven innings of play.
Freshman pitcher Erin Horn stood on Virginia's mound and also pitched a complete game, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out seven.
"Erin pitched a great game," Sprangel said. "I think she had about five walks, and you can't do that against a good ACC team."
In the top of the fifth inning, Horn was in a jam, as the Jackets had gotten runners on first and second with only one out. A Georgia Tech pop-up landed just in fair territory, and Virginia's infield and outfield could not make the catch, loading the bases. The next batter hit a hard shot to Virginia senior third baseman Ruby Rojas, who threw the ball home, but Wynn could not keep the ball in her glove, giving the Jackets the decisive 1-0 lead.
Rojas noted that Virginia was not as sharp in the day's second game.
"The last game we came out a little flat, but we definitely want to win this year," Rojas said.
Sprangel sees room for improvement for her team with a large number of games still remaining.
"We need to make sure that we're sharpening up a little bit more on our hitting and not giving walks away," she said.
The Cavalier will travel to Blacksburg, Va. this Wednesday for a doubleheader against in-state rival Virginia Tech.
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