HAMPTON — A rare appearance at home by the Virginia Roadsters nearly turned into a record setter for Ali Franzen.
Franzen took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up a one-out single to Rachel Johnson as Virginia defeated Tampa Bay 2-1 at War Memorial Stadium on Wednesday.
Virginia scored its first run in the third inning as Julie Garcia singled and stole second. Priscilla Welch then grounded out to second and advanced Garcia to third. Patty Becker then blooped a single to centerfield to score Garcia.
The Roadsters then tacked on another run in the fourth as Dawn Wuthrich singled and Carla Brookbank singled and advanced Wuthrich to second. Kim Turpin advanced the runners on a ground out. Wuthrich then scored on a throwing error by the shortstop.
The Firestix scored their run in the sixth inning without a hit. Heather Tarr walked and Gina Perez advanced her to second on a sacrifice. Kelly Howard then hit a ground ball to Melanie Murray at short who threw the ball away allowing Tarr to score.
Franzen (2-5) allowed only one hit, striking out one and walking one. Firestix started B'Ann Burns (2-6) went the distance allowing 10 hits and two runs while striking out two.
These two teams will close their series today with a 7 p.m. encounter that ESPN2 is taping for telecast next week. The Georgia Pride finishes the homestand with a three-game set starting on Friday.