2007 ACC Softball Championship: Virginia Tech's Tincher Throws Shut Out of Host Florida State

May 11, 2007

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - ACC Pitcher of the Year Angela Tincher threw a complete-game 4-0 shut out against host and No. 4 seed Florida State (43-22) Friday afternoon en route to helping top-seeded Virginia Tech (46-14) advance in the winner's bracket of the 2007 ACC Softball Tournament held at the JoAnne Graf Field.

All four Hokies' runs were scored in the second inning. Tincher, who set a new league record for career strikeouts in Thursday's win over Virginia, put forth seven innings of impressive work, allowing only three hits while facing 26 batters.

"You have to give Virginia Tech credit, they came up with the big hits when they needed to," FSU head coach Dr. JoAnne Graf said. "With Tincher pitching you can't spot a team like Virginia Tech four runs in the second inning and expect to have much success. I thought we did a better job of being patient at the plate against her, but we couldn't make the big plays when we needed to defensively."

After one scoreless inning, Virginia Tech got its bats warmed up, beginning with center fielder Jessica Everhart, who singled to the left side in the bottom of the second. Shortstop Charisse Mariconda was then hit by a pitch from Florida State junior Tiffany McDonald, advancing Everhart to second.

Third base Kelsy Rokey kept things rolling for the Hokies with a fielder's choice, advancing all parties, including Everhart to third by an error from Seminole shortstop Yuruby Alicart. Right fielder Whitney Davis also reached on a fielder's choice, advancing Rokey and Mariconda, yet the Hokies could not pick up a run as Everhart was thrown out at home plate.

A walk for designated player Callie Rhodes brought in Mariconda for the first run of the contest. Second baseman Erin Ota tallied her second triple of the season, sending home teammates Rokey, Davis and Rhodes.

The biggest crowd of the tournament thus far watched four and one-half innings consisting of no runs on only three hits, while six runners were stranded on base.

Tincher sealed the Hokies' victory with three consecutive outs in the top of the seventh as the standout recorded 10 strikeouts in the winning effort.

"We felt like we were going to have our work cut out for us playing the home team that had the home field advantage and we knew that they'd come out strong," Virginia Tech Scot Thomas said. "We were fortunate to be able to take care of some things in the second (inning) and if we can get those four or five runs, this lady beside me (Angela Tincher) does a pretty good job so that was the story of the day."

Virginia Tech continues its quest for the ACC Tournament title as the Hokies advance to Game 12 Saturday at 1:30 p.m., and will face the winner of No. 5 seed North Carolina and No. 7 seed Boston College.

Fans may watch live coverage of this year's ACC Tournament on ACCSelect.com. For more information on the ACC Spring Championships, visit TheACC.com.

GAME NOTES:

Florida State's Yuruby Alicart had her 15-game hitting streak halted by top-seed Virginia Tech junior pitcher and ACC Pitcher of the Year Angela Tincher.

In Thursday's Virginia Tech/Virginia game, Tincher set the ACC mark for strikeouts with her 60th toss of the game in the top of the fifth inning. The junior's strikeout was her 1,399th, passing Georgia Tech Jessica Sallinger's mark of 1,398, which was set from 2002-2005. With 11 strikeouts against Virginia and 10 against Florida State, Tincher now has 1,413 in her career and is the first ACC player to ever reach the 1,400 strikeout plateau.