Softball: Virginia takes 6-1 victory over George Washington

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia used a big third inning and a complete-game performance from Mikayla Houge in the circle to pick up a 6-1 victory over George Washington on Saturday night at the Gamecock Invitational.

Virginia (2-2) turned in a four-run third inning to break things open, loading the bases with one out before Katie Goldberg drove a two-RBI single up the middle. Three runs scored on the play as the throw to third in an attempt to get Lauren VanAssche was off the mark and she scrambled home, allowing Goldberg to take third on the play. Tori Gilbert then drove a sac fly to deep right field to score Goldberg and give the Cavaliers the 4-0 lead.
The Hoos extended it with another Gilbert sac fly in the fifth inning to take the lead out to 5-0.

George Washington (0-3)  got on the board in the home half of the fifth, plating a run on a single to the wall in left center from Hannah Eslick. The Hoos limited it to the one run in the inning and held the four-run advantage after five complete.

Houge (1-0) scattered five hits across the seven innings and did not allow a walk. She gave up the one run and struck out two batters on the night.

Maddy Dwyer (0-1) took the loss for the Colonials, allowing the six runs – five of them earned – on eight hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.

Notes

• Virginia improved to 15-3 all-time against George Washington and won its fifth straight in the series.
• Mikayla Houge threw her third career complete-game and the first of the season for the Cavaliers.
• Freshman OF Kailyn Jones got her first collegiate hit with a single through the right side to lead off the fourth.
• Tori Gilbert delivered an RBI for the third time in four games played this season with her 2RBI performance.

Postgame: UVA coach Joanna Hardin

“Mikayla Houge gave us our first complete game of the season and she did a great job. It was fun to see her get out there. She’s been on a pitching plan and it was great to see her get an opportunity under the lights. We came through in a big spot and were able to put up four runs in the third inning. That set the tone for the rest of the game. We continued to execute and do our thing. We had a couple of chances to really put the game away, but we let them hang around. We stayed focused, though. I’m having a lot of fun with this team and we’re ready to get after it against the Tar Heels tomorrow.”

Up next

Virginia will close out the opening weekend at the Gamecock Invitational on Sunday (Feb. 13) with a non-conference game against ACC foe North Carolina. The Cavaliers and Tar Heels are set for a 1 p.m. first pitch.