Softball: No. 24 Hoos outlasted by Liberty, 1-0, in pitcher’s duel

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

A pitcher’s duel went the way of the visiting team on Tuesday night at Palmer Park, as Virginia dropped a 1-0 decision to Liberty.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a stalemate through the first four innings, Liberty (23-16) broke through in the fifth by putting two runners on with a single and a walk to start the frame. Both runners moved into scoring position on a groundout back to the pitcher for the first out before a groundout to second from Sierra Kersten pushed a run home.

The Flames tried to come home on a wild pitch, but Boggs recovered and beat the runner to the plate with the tag for the final out.

The single run held up as Liberty took the victory. Virginia (26-12) got runners into scoring position in the second, third and fifth innings, but each time the Flames got out of the frame.

Mikayla Houge (1-2) took the loss in the complete game effort, allowing only two hits with the one run. She walked one batter and struck out four on the night.

Katie Love (6-3) picked up the win, allowing five hits with three strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Mikayla Houge worked her first complete game of the season, besting her previous season-long of 4.0 innings pitched against Syracuse (3/17/24).
• It was Houge’s first complete game since she tossed 7.0 innings against Charleston Southern (2/18/22).
• Jade Hylton took her hit streak out to seven games dating back to the 12-3 win at JMU (3/27/24).
• Virginia splits the season series with the Flames after winning the first meeting 3-1 in Lynchburg (3/26/24).

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“Mikayla Houge threw a gem tonight. It’s frustrating to come out on the wrong side of that for her sake. She was throwing really well and working both sides of the plate. She’s been working hard and I’m proud of what we saw out of her tonight.

“We had opportunities and didn’t get anything out of them, so that’s frustrating. We’re better than that. I think we’re capable of a lot more, but the team knows that. We have to recover, bounce back and come back ready to work for the series this weekend at home against NC State.”

UP NEXT

Virginia continues to play at home this weekend with a three-game set against NC State. Game one of the series is set for a 7-p.m. first pitch on Friday, while game two is set for a 2-p.m. first pitch on Saturday. The series finale is set for noon on Sunday, and it will be Senior Day at Palmer Park.