Softball: UVA’s win streak ends with 6-2 loss at Liberty

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The Virginia softball team dropped a midweek contest at Liberty by a score of 6-2 on Tuesday at Kamphuis Field in Lynchburg.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Liberty (10-9) opened the game with a solo home run and followed it up with a one-out triple and groundout to take the 2-0 lead in the first.

The Cavaliers (17-5) answered in the second with a two-run home run from Kailyn Jones that scored Gabby Baylog from second. Baylog had reached with a single to center and stole second before Jones came to the plate.

An RBI double in the third pushed Liberty back into the lead and the Flames continued to build with a single run in the fourth and two in the fifth to take the lead out to 6-2.

Molly Grube (7-3) took the loss, allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts in 3.0 innings of work.

Karlie Keeney (7-5) picked up the victory, allowing the two runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts in her complete-game effort.

Kailyn Jones ties it up with her first career home run!#GoHoos | #OnTheRise | #HoosNext pic.twitter.com/OZ3FFIfWdH

— Virginia Softball (@UVASoftball) March 7, 2023

NOTES

• The home run from Jones in the second inning was her first career home run.
• Virginia is now 47-30 all-time against Liberty after the 77th meeting on Tuesday night.
• The two teams will face each other again when Liberty comes to Palmer Park on April 11.
• Kelly Ayer ran her hit streak out to 12 games with a single deep to short in the seventh inning.
• The loss broke an 11-game win streak for UVA, which was the longest since the 2001 season.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“The game came down to execution. We missed a couple of pitches and they got barrels on them. We didn’t execute with runners in scoring position when we got opportunities offensively. We’ll get home, watch the film and get back after it in practice to get ready for Georgia Tech this weekend. It’s going to be competitive and we know the Yellow Jackets will come in and put us to the test. It’s exciting to get to compete in the ACC and play a game a day against great opponents. We’re ready to go.”

UP NEXT

Virginia returns home to host Georgia Tech as ACC play begins for the Cavaliers this weekend. The three-game series begins with a 5 p.m. contest on Friday and continues with a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday. Sunday’s finale is set to begin at 4 p.m.