Virginia’s season comes to an end against Kansas at NISC

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The season came to an end for the Virginia softball team on Tuesday as the Cavaliers fell to Kansas by a score of 4-2 at the National Invitational Softball Championship in Fort Collins, Colo.

Kansas (20-35) got off to the quick start against the Cavaliers (28-26), pushing two runs across in the first with a two-RBI double from Olivia Bruno.

Virginia got on the board in the fourth, pushing two runs home to tie the game. After loading the bases with one out, Abby Weaver was hit by a pitch to bring the first run home. Lauren VanAssche then hit a sac fly to left to tie the game.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Kansas answered in the bottom of the fourth to reclaim the lead. The Jayhawks then extended the lead with a solo home run in the sixth for the final 4-2 margin of victory.

Mackenzie Wooten (4-2) took the loss in relief, allowing one run on seven hits with one strikeout in 3.0 innings of work.

Savana DesRochers (2-4) picked up the relief win, allowing two hits and striking out three in 3.0 innings of work.

NOTES

• Virginia’s 28 wins is the most for the Hoos since the 2010 season when UVA went 34-23.
• It’s the second most wins in program history since the 2006 season when UVA won 29 games.
• UVA finishes the season with a .974 fielding percentage, best in a season in program history.
• Abby Weaver went 1 for 1 with an RBI, a walk and a hit by pitch in the game.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“I’m very proud of our team and how we competed the entire season. When any season ends it is always hard to see your senior class go. This class is really special because they are the bridge from the lean years in our program to where we are today. They have changed the standard and expectations for UVA softball and I am forever grateful for their loyalty and commitment to the program.

“Competing in the postseason was such an important step for building our program. I am grateful to our administration for their support in providing us this opportunity. It shows their belief in softball and our student-athletes. As we transition into the off-season, I truly believe our student-athletes will come back in the fall hungry to continue building upon this season. The future is bright for the Hoos.”