May 15, 1999

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida State remains undefeated in the 1999 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament with its 1-0 win over Virginia on Saturday afternoon at the FSU Softball Complex. The Seminoles improve to 39-25-1 overall while the Cavaliers go to 34-25 on the year.

FSU's Danielle Cox scored the game's only run in the top of the first inning after drawing a walk to lead things off. Cox stole her 73rd base of the season and was sacrificed to third. She scored on Kimmy Carter's bunt single. The Seminoles left eight runners on base and missed a big opportunity to extend their lead in the 5th inning when they left the bases loaded.

"I'm really proud of the way these girls pulled together tonight," FSU Head Coach Dr. JoAnne Graf said. "We had many chances with people on base and I certainly didn't think it would come down to a one-run game. Virginia really battled and had some great opportunities, but our pitching and defense made the plays when we needed them."

Virginia left players stranded in every inning but the sixth, when FSU pitcher Jennifer White retired the side in order as all three Cavaliers grounded out to the short stop. But the Cavaliers didn't go down without a fight. UVA's Katie Zunno came in as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh and led off with a single to left field. Claudia Hickey came in to run for Zunno and was sacrificed to second and reached third on a single by pitcher Christy Quinn. There was a close call at the plate on the next play and Hickey was called out. The side was retired on a ground out on the next play.

"I'm very proud of this team," Head Coach Cheryl Sprangel said. "We've come a long way and have improved a lot over the last month. Now we have to regroup and focus on either Maryland or Georgia Tech. It's always one game at a time. We can't look ahead."

Virginia advances to Game 7 and will play Maryland, which defeated Georgia Tech in Saturday's nightcap, at noon on Sunday. Florida State will play the winner of Game 7 at 3:30 p.m. in the possible championship game of the double-elimination tournament.

Florida State 100 000 0   1  6  1
Virginia      000 000 0   0  5  1

WP: Jennifer White (16-16)
LP: Christy Quinn (9-8)