University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Virginia Tech
Softball Splits With Virginia Tech, 7-5, 1-3
April 08, 2000 | Softball
April 8, 2000
BLACKSBURG, Va. - Freshman Brandi Cross (Diamond Bar, Calif.) hit her third home run of her career, as the University of Massachusetts split with Virginia Tech today, 7-5, 1-3, in the Atlantic 10 Conference softball opener for both schools. The Minutewomen now stand at 15-18 (1-1 Atlantic 10) this season, while the Hokies are 24-15 (1-1 Atlantic 10).
UMass had to wait 73 minutes before game one as a result of a rain delay, but it didn't take the Minutewomen long to warm up, as Cross homered in the first inning to give UMass the early 1-0 lead. Virginia Tech tied it up, though, in the fifth as Jennifer Vantucci scored on a RBI by Bronwyn Blair. The Minutewomen had a six-run seventh inning to take a commanding 7-1 lead over the Hokies. Freshman Emily Robustelli (Stamford, Conn.) drove in two runs with a double to center field, scoring Cross and sophomore Teri Rooney (Visalia, Calif.). Sophomore Cherra Wheeler (Kingsburg, Calif.) scored the third run of the inning off a RBI by senior Nikki Faessler (Milford, Mass.), who reached on a fielder's choice. Junior Kiley Scofield (Murietta, Calif.) then drove in the fourth run with a double to right field, which brought in Robustelli to the plate. Sophomore Ashley Bakken (Phoenix, Ariz.) singled to the shortstop, scoring Faessler for run No. 5 in the seventh, and Scofield scored the final run off a throwing error by the shortstop. Virginia Tech made a valiant comeback, plating four runs in the seventh, but fell short to UMass, 7-5, in the first game of the doubleheader.
Freshman Kaila Holtz (North Vancouver, B.C.) went the distance on the mound, striking out seven batters in seven innings, while allowing six hits and walking four.
In game two, the Hokies took the early lead in the first inning, as Michelle Meadows drove in Carmen Farmer with a single to right field. The Minutewomen tied the ball game up in the third inning, as Cross doubled to center field, driving in Robustelli. But that would be the final run for UMass in the game. Virginia Tech scored two more runs in the fifth to win the game 3-1.
Sophomore Jen Hadley (Bristol, Conn.) took the loss on the mound, giving up eight hits in six innings, while striking out two batters and walking two.
The Minutewomen are next in action on April 11th at Rutgers for a doubleheader against the Scarlet Knights at 2 p.m.
