May 9, 2008

• 2008 ACC Softball Championship Site
• Webcast Archived on ACC Select
• Box Score
• theACC.com Photo Gallery

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After being delayed nearly 10 hours, due to heavy rain in the area for most of the day, fourth-seeded Georgia Tech downed Virginia, 5-3, to advance to day three of the 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference Softball Championship on the campus of the University of Maryland. Georgia Tech, now 14-6 in ACC Championship play over the last five years, will now face either Virginia Tech or Florida State on Saturday afternoon.

The Yellow Jackets put up their first run in the top of the second inning on a towering shot over the wall in left center by third baseman Brittany Barnes. Barnes is now tied for the ACC lead with 12 home runs this season. Tech added to its lead in the fourth, tacking on four runs on six hits in the inning. Barnes, who registered two hits in four at-bats Friday night, again came up big in the inning, driving in the Jackets' third run with a single through the middle of the infield. Also hitting safely in Tech's big fourth inning were Blair Shimandle, Whitney Haller, Jessica Weaver, Becky McCraw and Aileen Morales.

Picking up the win in her 33rd start of the season was Tech senior Whitney Humphreys. Humphreys, who allowed just four hits and struck out seven in the game, is now tied for second-place in the ACC with 19 wins this season.

Top performers for the Cavaliers on Friday evening were designated player Allison Pittma, who picked up two hits on the night, and Kelly Haller, Lindsey Preuss and Lauren McCaskey, who had one hit each. Virginia falls to 15-39 this season in defeat.

Improving to 31-29 on the year with the win, Tech will now take on the loser of tomorrow's first game between Virginia Tech and Florida State. The Jackets were a combined 3-3 against the Hokies and Seminoles during the regular season.

Weather permitting, Saturday action at the ACC Softball Championship will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Maryland's Robert E. Taylor Stadium. Four games are scheduled to take place Saturday, with both semifinals and the ACC final at 3:30 p.m. Saturday's action will be available at www.ACCSelect.com, while Sunday's final will be telecast live on the ACC's Regional Sports Network.