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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The Virginia softball team (9-22, 2-4 ACC) ended its nine-game losing skid with a doubleheader sweep over George Mason (7-19) Wednesday at The Park. The Cavaliers won the first game 5-3 and also took game two, 6-2. Fourth-year Lindsey Preuss tallied five hits on the day while rookie Alison Pittman had four.
UVa outhit Mason 10-8 in game one. Preuss led the way with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate while Meghan O’Leary and Pittman also had multiple-hit performances for the Orange and Blue.
Fourth-year co-captain Whitney Holstun picked up the win in the circle for UVa, throwing her fourth complete game of the season. Holstun registered a team season-high with seven strikeouts in the winning effort.
The Patriots took an early lead in the first inning, but Virginia responded to tie the game in the bottom half. O’Leary led off with a single for Virginia and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Pittman. A Mason error put on Kelly Haller and O’Leary was able to come around and score from second.
Virginia then took a 3-1 lead in the second. Preuss led off with a double to center and Lauren McCaskey reached on an infield hit to advance Preuss to third. After McCaskey took second, Sarah Tacke struck out looking, but both Preuss and McCaskey scored when the next batter, Abby Snyder, doubled to right center.
George Mason scored one run in the third and another in the fourth to tie the game 3-3. After back-to-back scoreless innings, the Cavaliers recorded two runs in the bottom of the fifth, including what proved to be the game-winner.
With one out, Pittman singled to right field and advanced to second on a fielding error. Haller grounded out to second base but moved Pittman to third and she would score on a RBI triple to right center by Winger. Winger then came across home plate when Preuss doubled to left.
In game two, Virginia again reached double digits in hits with a 10-6 advantage over the Patriots. Preuss, Pittman and Haller each went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Cavaliers.
Karla Wilburn earned the win on the mound, throwing 4 2/3 innings and allowing two runs, both earned, on five hits and fanning five. Holstun came on in relief to throw in final 2 1/3 to shut out the Patriots and allowed just one hit. Holstun also fanned two batters in the second game to bring her total to nine strikeouts for the day.
The Cavaliers put a run on the board in the first inning and scored three more times in the second to take an early 4-0 lead. The Patriots put a pair of runs on the board in the top of the fifth to cut the lead in half.
Virginia responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, back-to-back singles by Carly Winger and Lindsey Preuss put runners on first and second. When Winger attempted to steal third, the throw from the George Mason catch went into left field and Winger was able to come across and score while Preuss advanced to third. Preuss would then come across home plate on a Lauren McCaskey sacrifice fly to right field.
The Cavaliers return to Atlantic Coast Conference play this weekend by playing host to NC State. The two teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at The Park and the first game will be available online on ACC Select.