Softball: Virginia falls to North Carolina in weekend finale

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia fell to North Carolina on Sunday afternoon by a score of 5-0 to close out a weekend of play at the Gamecock Invitational at South Carolina.

North Carolina (3-0) struck in the first, using a groundout back to the pitcher with one out to bring home the leadoff hitter who reached with a triple slapped down the first base line that jumped the bag and tailed into the right field corner.

The one-run advantage would hold until the fifth when a bunt single and a throwing error put a runner in scoring position with one out. Back-to-back hits, a triple off the wall in center and a single to right, then pushed the lead out to 3-0 in favor of the Tar Heels.

Virginia (2-3) gave itself a chance in the sixth, loading the bases with one out and forcing a pitching change by the Tar Heels. North Carolina would escape the jam, however, to keep the lead on the Cavaliers. The Tar Heels would then add two more runs in the sixth for the final 5-0 margin of victory.

Savanah Henley (0-3) took the loss in the start, allowing three runs on five hits. She did not walk a batter and struck out three in her 5.0 innings of work.

Hannah George (2-0) picked up the win for North Carolina, allowing four hits. She walked two and struck out four in her 5.1 innings of work for the Tar Heels.

NOTES ON THE GAME

• The loss to UNC was a non-conference contest and the teams do not face each other in ACC play this season.
• The Cavaliers have now caught six runners stealing this season after throwing out two against the Tar Heels.
• Baserunners are now 5-for-11 on steal attempts against the Cavaliers this season.
• Pitchers Mackenzie Wooten and Clare Zureich made their first appearances of the season for the Hoos.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“We came out the gate today ready to compete. Our team tried hard and put maximum effort into every pitch today. Opening weekend is all about learning and we have clear feedback on how to design practice this week now that we’ve had five games to evaluate ourselves against different opponents. We all – myself included – lacked execution in a few key situations today that ended up being costly. I’m confident we’ll take this information, frame it positively and get to work tomorrow. We are all growing together and I love my team.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS

Virginia will continue to play on the road next weekend, traveling to compete at the CSU Buc Up Tournament hosted by Charleston Southern. The Cavaliers will play Friday through Sunday and face off against Sacred Heart and Charleston Southern across five games.