Virginia falls in series finale with No. 2 Florida State

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The Virginia softball team (21-16, 8-4 ACC) got an RBI double from Kailyn Jones and a solo home run from Tori Gilbert, but dropped the series finale to No. 2 Florida State (35-2, 10-2 ACC) by a score of 7-2 on Sunday at Palmer Park.

Florida State used an RBI double with one out to get on the board in the first inning for the third straight game. The Seminoles then followed it up with a two-RBI double and an RBI single with two outs to make it 4-0 out of the gates.

The Seminoles added to the lead in the fourth, pushing a fifth run home.

Virginia got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when freshman Kailyn Jones laced a double to left to drive in Katie Goldberg. Goldberg had reached with a leadoff double to get into scoring position for the freshman.

Florida State would answer with a two-run home run in the sixth to take the lead out to 7-1, but Tori Gilbert responded with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth for the Cavaliers to make it 7-2 which would be the final margin.

Madison Harris (1-2) took the loss as she allowed four runs on four hits with two walks in 1.0 inning of work. She was one of three Virginia pitchers to see action on the day.

Katherine Sandercock (17-0) picked up the win, working 6.0 innings and allowing the two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. She did not walk a batter.

NOTES ON THE GAME

• Sophomore RHP Madison Harris made her first career start in the circle.
• Freshman Reece Holbrook made her first career start and went 2-for-3 at the plate.
• Tori Gilbert’s home run in the sixth inning was her team-leading 10th of the season.
• Freshman Kailyn Jones’ RBI double in the fifth was her second RBI of the season.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“I’m really proud of how our team fought until the end and never quit all weekend. It was definitely a tough weekend for us, but we got a lot of information we can use to learn and grow. Every day and every game is an opportunity evaluate and keep growing. I’m excited to get back to work on Monday and get ready for a really good JMU team coming to town on Wednesday.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS

Virginia will continue to play at home with a midweek contest against JMU on Wednesday (April 6). First pitch in the game against the Dukes is set for 6 p.m. at Palmer Park. It will be Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night and UVA faculty and staff and UVA Health employees can claim up to four complimentary tickets per game at https://wahoowa.net/FacultyStaff.