Softball: Hoos blank Sam Houston, move to 2-0 on the season

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The Virginia softball team posted its second shutout of the season on Friday as the Cavaliers defeated Sam Houston by a score of 3-0 at the Bearkat Softball Complex in Huntsville, Texas.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Virginia (2-0) got off to the quick start with a solo home run from Sarah Coon in the first inning. The Cavaliers extended the lead in the second when Kelly Ayer scored on a single to center from Leah Boggs. Virginia’s pitchers then held things in check until the Cavaliers added a third run in the seventh inning.

Kate Goldberg’s double to right center in the seventh pushed Jade Hylton across the plate for the final margin of victory.

Molly Grube (1-0) picked up the victory with 4.2 innings of work as she allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one. Eden Bigham then picked up her first save of the season as she worked the final 2.0 innings, allowing two hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

Lauren VanAssche with the catch on the run to end the game at Sam Houston and the Hoos move to 2-0 with a pair of shutouts. #GoHoos | #OnTheRise | #HoosNext pic.twitter.com/4dgPeVDolW

— Virginia Softball (@UVASoftball) February 10, 2023

NOTES

• Freshman Eden Bigham picked up her first save of the season as she closed out the final 2.0 innings.
• Senior Molly Grube picked up her eighth career victory in her start against the Bearkats (1-1).
• Sarah Coon hit her first home run of the season and ninth of her career with the first-inning solo shot.
• Savanah Henley made her first of the year in relief of Grube in the fifth, getting the final out of the frame.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“I liked how we came out today with a lot of energy and put up a couple of runs in the first two innings. Their pitcher did a great job of keeping us off balance; we had a few mishits and a some balls hit hard where they were in the right position. It was a great game and Sam Houston played well. We really had to grind it out there at the end. Hats off to our pitching staff. They’ve kept us in every game. They’ve thrown it really well and competitively. We’re learning and growing. This game is tough and every opponent will be tough, so we have to keep our nice to the grind stone, get ready to play another doubleheader tomorrow and keep getting better.”

UP NEXT

Virginia returns to action Saturday at the Houston Invitational with a game against Lamar at 11 a.m. ET before resuming Thursday’s suspended game against Houston at 6:30 p.m. ET.