April 6, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The University of Virginia softball team evened its overall record at 20-20 by sweeping its doubleheader vs. Hofstra on Tuesday, taking both games by 4-3 margins.

In the first game, both squads traded runs in the second inning to knot the score at 1-1. Hofstra jumped on the scoreboard first when Dana Bennett scored a run, and Virginia answered right back when Amy Peay (2-4, run) scored on a fielders choice. The Flying Dutchwomen would then score a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to pull out to a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Cavaliers pulled within striking distance of Hofstra when Karen Breshears (2-4, 1 RBI) drove in Corinne Good (2-3, , double, two runs), who had reached base after being hit by a pitch.

Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Virginia mounted yet another comeback when Kristen Dennis (1-3, RBI) tallied a game-tying single to pull UVa even at 3-3. The score would remain tied as the game went into extra innings until the bottom of the eighth inning. There, Good hit a game-winning double to score Julie Amaon to seal a 4-3 victory for Virginia. Jen Krill (1-4), Erin McMorrow (2-4), Lori Reese (1-4) and Meaghan Young (1-5) added hits in the win. Dennis pitched a complete game, yielding three runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out five batters.

In game two, Hofstra pulled out to an early 1-0 lead to start things off. This time however, UVa scored three unanswered runs to pull out to a 3-1 lead. Young walked and eventually score Virginia's first run. After Good (1-3, run) doubled, Reese (1-2, two runs, RBI) drove Young in to score with an RBI single. Dennis led the Cavalier offensive charge as the next batter following Reese, as she finished 3-3 at the plate, with three RBI and a double. Dennis scored teammates Reese and Good on a two-run RBI double in the first inning to give UVa a two run advantage. The Flying Dutchwomen would chisel their way back to a 3-3 tie, before Dennis came through in the clutch by scoring Reese on the eventual game winning RBI single in the fifth innings, giving UVa another 4-3 victory. Chrissy Quinn (1-3), coming off an ACC Pitcher of the Week selection, collected her seventh win of the season by spreading out five hits over seven inning en route to nine strikeouts.

"These were two very important wins over an impressive Hofstra team," said assistant UVa softball coach Jamie Pinkerton. "Hopefully these victories will spark the team and keep us rolling along as we head into a homestand here at The Park."

With the two wins, Virginia improves its record to 20-20 overall, 1-3 in the ACC. UVa has now won three consecutive games. With the losses, Hofstra falls to 16-12 overall on the season. The Cavaliers will return to home action on Thursday, April 8 when Virginia faces Elon in a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. at The Park.