/
.
Virginia Softball Splits with Longwood
Story Links
FARMVILLE, Va. The Virginia softball team (12-24) split a doubleheader with Longwood (20-13) Wednesday at Lancer Field in Farmville, Va. The Cavaliers won the first game 3-0 but fell in the second game, 5-3.
Fourth-year hurler Karla Wilburn threw a one-hit shutout, her second of the season, in game one. After giving up a hit to Longwood leadoff hitter Caitlin Hooe in the bottom of the first, Wilburn and the Cavalier defense sat down the next 20 batters en route to the shutout.
The Cavaliers tallied seven hits in the first game, including a 2-for-4 performance at the plate from first-year Alison Pittman. Pittman belted her first triple of the year and also had a single in the winning effort. Lindsey Preuss hit her fifth home run of the season and Lauren McCaskey also doubled. Meghan O’Leary, Carly Winger and Sarah Tacke all had singles for the Orange and Blue.
Virginia got on the board in the top of the second when Preuss led off the inning with a solo shot to left. The Cavaliers then added two more in the fifth. Tacke led off with a single to center and first-year Jennifer Bowles came on to pinch run. Bowles moved over to second on a sac bunt by O’Leary and was brought home when the next batter, Pittman, tripled down the right field line. Pittman would come across to score later in the inning on a wild pitch.
In the second game, Virginia was outhit by the Lancers, 7-5, and each team committed two errors after a flawless first game.
O’Leary led the Cavaliers at the plate in game two with two singles while fourth-year Kierstie Cameron belted a double. Kelly Haller and Preuss also tallied singles for UVa.
Fourth-year captain Whitney Holstun took the loss in the circle for Virginia. Holstun threw a complete game, allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out one and walking one.
Longwood took a 2-0 lead heading into the fourth inning but Virginia responded in the top half of the fourth with three runs. After being walked, Preuss came around to score on a throwing error by Longwood. With two outs and two on, Cameron doubled to left to score teammates Snyder (who reached on the error) and McCaskey (who reached on a fielder’s choice).
Trailing 3-2, the Lancers answered in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game. Longwood then scored two in the sixth thanks to a Ryan Washington triple that was followed by a home run from Tricia Nelson. The squad’s two runs proved to be the difference.
Virginia will travel to Blacksburg, Va., to take on defending conference champion and in-state rival Virginia Tech beginning a 12 p.m. Saturday.