Softball: Virginia falls in weekend finale at No. 18 Tennessee

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

For the second time on the weekend a big inning proved to be the difference against the Lady Vols as Virginia (12-9) fell to No. 18 Tennessee (15-6) on Sunday by a score of 5-0 to close out the Tennessee Invitational.

Tennessee started the scoring with a single run in the first before a pair of home runs in the fourth inning broke the game open. The Lady Vols got a three-run shot with two outs before it was followed immediately by a solo shot to take the lead out to 5-0.

Virginia couldn’t put together an answering rally down the stretch as Tennessee picked up the victory.

Mikayla Houge (6-3) took the loss, allowing the five runs on seven hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Erin Edmoundson (9-1) picked up the win in the complete-game effort, allowing six hits while walking one and posting seven strikeouts.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Madison Harris turned in her sixth scoreless relief outing with 2.1 innings in relief of Houge.
• Harris has now worked 9.1 innings across those six outings and struck out 10 batters.
• Arizona Ritchie led the Hoos at the plate with a 2-for-3 day.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“Today’s game came down to two key moments. In the top of the second we had the bases loaded with one out and struck out twice to end the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Mikayla (Houge) left a pitch hanging on the plate and they hit it out of the park for three runs. When you play quality opponents like the teams we will face every weekend in ACC play, games will come down to one or two plays and the team that executes in those moments will usually win. I know we have it in us to come through in those moments. I have seen the abilities and effort of our team every day. We are getting better with every game and playing good softball. The difference for us will be how we mentally approach those key moments moving forward. When we own and embrace those key moments with fearlessness we are very tough to beat. I know it’s in us and I’m excited to see it surface this week when we play at home.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS

Virginia returns to action on Tuesday (March 8) when the Hoos come home to play at Palmer Park for the first time this season. The Cavaliers take on Maryland at 5:30 p.m.