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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Despite a 14-run, 16-hit performance, Rutgers was able to get past the Virginia softball team (7-19, 2-4 ACC) with a 15-14 victory Saturday in the Cavalier Classic. Second-year Kelly Haller tied a school record with four hits, going 4-for-4 from the plate on the day. Teammate Carly Winger also had a solid outing offensively, going 2-for-3 and batting in five runs.
Virginia rallied to score six runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 14 heading into the seventh. The Scarlet Knights answered and were able to notch a run in the top half of the inning. Christine Royland was granted first base after being hit by a pitch to lead off. Kim Hodges came on to pinch run but was out a second on a fielder’s choice from Mickenzie Alden. With one on, a single up the middle moved Alden over to third and she would score on a fielder’s choice grounder to short. Virginia’s Carly Winger tried to turn the double play but Brittnay Loisel beat out the throw at first. Alden’s run proved to be the game-winner for the Scarlet Knights.
UVa’s 14 runs marked the first time this season the team had reached the double-digit mark in scoring. Virginia’s 16 hits also was a season high; the Cavaliers tallied 14 hits against Coastal Carolina back on March 1.
Several Cavaliers had multiple hit performances. Haller led the way with her four hits while Lindsey Preuss tallied three and Winger, Tacke and Casey Steffan, who was making her first start of the season, each pitched in two.
More to come…