March 15, 2002

Box Score

SACRAMENTO - Virginia pitcher Kristen Dennis struck out 15 batters and held the Rebels to just a single hit to defeat the UNLV softball team 9-0 on the first day of play at the Capital Classic.

Dennis (10-3) only allowed UNLV (12-16) a base runner twice in the game. Kacey Ellis reached in the second after a misplayed ball by UVa shortstop Heather Field and later led off the fifth inning with an infield single. However, the Cavaliers (20-8) were able to keep the runner pinned at first both times.

Field was quickly forgiven for the error as her leadoff double in the top of the second set up the only run that the Cavaliers would need. A botched squeeze play turned into a successful steal of home to put UVa on top.

Virginia, improving to 2-0 in pool play, picked up a couple of more runs off Rebel starter Nicole Truax (3-4) in the fourth. A leadoff walk and subsequent single set the stage for designated player Stephanie Calhoun, who drove in both runs with a single to centerfield.

The Cavaliers also got two leadoff runners aboard in the fifth, and cashed in when Dennis dropped a long fly ball over the centerfield fence.

The Rebels continue play in the Capital Classic with a Friday tripleheader. Competing in Pool C, UNLV has scheduled tangles with IUPUI at 11:00 a.m., host Sacramento State at 3:00 p.m. and Middle Tennessee at 5:00 p.m. In Thursday's pool play, Sac State defeated IUPUI 8-2, and Virginia topped MTSU 8-0 in six innings.