Softball: Virginia picks up two more victories to conclude Cavalier Classic

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Posted on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, 10:33 pm

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

The Cavaliers’ bats remained hot on Sunday, as Virginia picked up a pair of run-rule victories over Howard and George Washington at Palmer Park. The Hoos defeated Howard 8-0 in six innings and the Colonials 16-1 in five innings.

GAME 1: VIRGINIA 8, HOWARD 0 (6 Innings)

Virginia’s offense found its groove in the third inning when the Cavaliers (11-4) pushed four runs home. It started with a two-RBI double from MC Eaton that was followed by an RBI triple to right from Katie Goldberg. The Hoos capped the scoring in the inning with a single to left from Abby Weaver that brought home Goldberg.

The Cavaliers added two more runs in the fourth with a sac fly from Tori Gilbert before Kelly Ayer, who had reached on the walk before advancing to third, stole home to cap the inning with a 6-0 lead.

The final two runs came home in the sixth with an RBI groundout from Gabby Baylog before Reece Holbrook would come to the plate and drove a ball down the left field line to bring home the winning run.

Eden Bigham (3-1) picked up the win with as she held the Bison (2-7) to two hits with a walk and four strikeouts through 4.0 innings of work.

GAME 2: VIRGINIA 16, GEORGE WASHINGTON 1 (5 Innings)

The Cavaliers continued the hot streak at the plate, using 12 hits to grab the 16-1 victory over George Washington (6-6).

It started with a two-run home run from Sarah Coon in the first inning and continued with a six-run second inning. Virginia used a two-RBI single from Lauren VanAssche to spark the rally and take the lead out to 8-1 on the Colonials which had scored on an error in the top half of the second.

Virginia capped the scoring on the day with an eight-run fourth inning behind a grand slam from Jade Hylton and a two-run home run from Eaton.

Molly Grube (5-2) picked up the win, working 3.0 innings with the unearned run on two hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

NOTES

  • Hylton hit her first collegiate grand slam with her home run against George Washington.
  • Eaton maintained her hold on the team lead in home runs (5) with her two-run shot vs. the Colonials.
  • It’s the second time this season that Hylton and Eaton have homered in the same inning.
  • RHP Madison Harris made her first appearance of the season when she worked the fifth vs. GW.
  • Goldberg was perfect at the plate on the day, going 4 for 4 with a walk, two doubles and a triple.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“I’m really proud of how the team came out and competed all weekend. We knew it was going to take our entire team staying focused and together. I felt like we learned a lot last weekend (at the ACC/Big 10 Challenge). We came back and applied our principles, and our execution was high all weekend. We still have a lot to learn and apply on both sides of the ball, but overall, I’m proud of the fight, the hustle and the joy our team was playing with this weekend. I love when they smile, have fun and are playing with each other.”

UP NEXT

Virginia will continue to play at home on Tuesday when the Cavaliers host Radford in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. It will be the first of several home games at Palmer Park as Virginia will host the Palmer Park Clash over the weekend.