Virginia Softball Takes 9-1 Decision Over Loyola-Chicago
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March 7, 2006
FULLERTON, Calif. – The University of Virginia softball team got its trip to California off to a great start with a 9-1 six-inning victory over Loyola-Chicago Tuesday (Mar. 7) in the Fullerton Round Robin, which is being held at Titan Softball Complex. The Cavaliers scored all nine of their runs over the final three innings to improve to 12-4 on the season. UVa concludes play in the Fullerton Round Robin by playing host Cal-State Fullerton Tuesday evening at 9:00 p.m.
Third-years Elea Crockett (Tucson, Ariz.) and Amy McKean (Kent, Wash.) and second-year Whitney Holstun (Escondido, Calif.) each drove in a pair of runs for UVa. McKean, who was just named to the Buzz Classic All-Tournament Team, blasted her team-leading fifth home run of the season.
Loyola-Chicago broke up a scoreless game with a solo home run to left field by Katerina Krause to lead off the fourth inning. Virginia answered with fourth runs in the bottom of the fourth. Fourth-year center fielder Jessica Taylor (Philadelphia, Pa.) singled to shortstop and then stole second base. Taylor moved to third on McKean’s single to center with McKean advancing to second on the throw home. Crockett then delivered a single to center field that plated Taylor and second-year Kat Mirras (Montauk, N.Y.) who was pinch running for McKean. Third-year first baseman Brooke Sorber (Alexandria, Va.) followed with a single to center that scored Crockett from second base. After a Loyola pitching change, fourth-year pitcher Erin Horn (Tallahassee, Fla.) reached on a bunt single. Holstun then plated Sorber and Horn with a pinch hit double to left center.
McKean made the score 6-1 with a solo home run to left field in the fifth inning. The Cavaliers invoked the eight-run rule with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Sorber led off the inning with a double down the left field line and Sorber came around to score on second-year shortstop Lindsey Preuss’ (La Plata, Md.) double down the left field line. Preuss moved to third on fourth-year right fielder Jackie Greer’s (Portage, Mich.) single to third base. After fourth-year third baseman Sara Larquier (Burbank, Calif.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Preuss scored the second run of the inning on Taylor’s single off the pitcher. McKean’s bases loaded walk that scored Greer made the score 9-1 and ended the game.
Horn limited the Ramblers to one run on two hits in improving to 4-2 in the circle. She struck out eight batters and issued five walks. Krista Crosson was saddled with the loss for Loyola-Chicago. In 3.1 innings, she allowed four runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Katie Schupbach pitched the final two innings and gave up five runs on seven hits with one walk.
After tonight’s game with Cal-State Fullerton, UVa travels to Long Beach for a single game against Long Beach State at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday (Mar. 8).