Softball: Virginia downs Sacred Heart 8-0 in five innings

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia closed the weekend at the CSU Buc Up Tournament with a run-rule victory on Sunday, defeating Sacred Heart by a score of 8-0 in five innings.

Katie Goldberg helped lead the Cavalier offense, going 2-for-2 with two home runs, three RBI. She also drew a walk and scored two runs.

Virginia (5-5) got off to a quick start with a five-run second inning. The frame started with a leadoff single from Abby Weaver before Kelly Ayer would drive her in two batters later. Ayer came home on an error at single on ball in play from Bailey Winscott before Lauren VanAssche would drive Winscott in with a single. Goldberg then hit her first home run of the day, a two-run shot, to cap the scoring in the inning.

The Cavaliers pushed another run home in the third when Ayer scored on another Sacred Heart error. Virginia then got back-to-back home runs from Goldberg and Tori Gilbert in the fourth inning to put the run-rule in play and pick up the win with a scoreless top of the fifth.

Mikayla Houge (3-0) picked up the win in relief, working 2.1 scoreless innings. She took over in the circle for Molly Grube who worked 2.2 innings in the start, allowing three hits and striking out five.

Sarah Lawton (2-1) took the loss for Sacred Heart (2-3), allowing six runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Only one of the runs was earned.

NOTES ON THE GAME

• It was the first multiple-home run game for Katie Goldberg who has 11 career home runs.
• Molly Grube made her first appearance of the season working 2.2 innings in the start against Sacred Heart.
• Kelly Ayer went 1-for-3, recording her first collegiate hit, RBI and run scored in the game.
• Tori Gilbert hit her third home run of the season to cap the scoring for the Cavaliers in the fourth.
• Goldberg and Gilbert’s back-to-back home runs were the first for UVA since Goldberg and Donna Friedman did it at Clemson (2/29/20).

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“I’m really proud of how we came out today ready to attack from the first pitch. Molly Grube was fearless in her first start. She’s been working diligently week-to-week, so I’m really happy for her. I could see our team making adjustments at the plate, remaining disciplined and taking aggressive swings the entire game. Sunday is all about toughness in a weekend tournament or series. I was really happy with how we competed today and expect us to carry that enthusiasm into practice this week.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS

Virginia returns to action next weekend at the UNCG Invitational. The Cavaliers will face Bucknell, Loyola-Chicago, Towson and host UNCG over the course of the weekend. Play begins on Friday (Feb. 25) when Virginia will face Towson at 12 p.m. and Bucknell at 5 p.m.