Cavaliers Split Doubleheader with Flames
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LYNCHBURG, Va. The Virginia softball team (13-28) split a Wednesday doubleheader with Liberty (8-25-1), claiming game one 7-6 but falling in the second contest 9-6. Cavalier fourth-year Lindsey Preuss hit her team-leading sixth home run in the second game and teammate Carly Winger belted her fifth in the first.
The Cavaliers battled back from a 2-0 deficit after one inning of play in the opening game. After a one-run second, UVa posted three two-run innings, scoring a pair in the third, sixth and seventh. Leading 7-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Lady Flames were able to put together a three-run rally and left the bases loaded, falling a run short of tying the ballgame.
Virginia’s Karla Wilburn earned the win in the circle for the Orange and Blue, throwing 5 2/3 and allowing three runs, all earned, with two strikeouts and one walk. Whitney Holstun came on in relief to toss the final 1 1/3 and earned the save.
UVa outhit the Lady Flames in game one, 12-9. Fifth-year outfielder Meghan O’Leary led Virginia at the plate, going 3-for-5. Winger was 2-for-3 with two RBI while Preuss and Lauren McCaskey also recorded two hits apiece.
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the second game, scoring four runs in the first and two more in the second. But the Lady Flames were able to rally back and scored nine unanswered, including a four-run fifth. In the bottom of the sixth, Liberty put three on the board to take the lead.
The Lady Flames outhit UVa 13-9 in the second game but committed four errors in the field. None of Virginia’s six runs were earned.
Offensively, second-year Kelly Haller was 2-for-3 while Winger put up another two-hit performance in the batter’s box.
First-year Cynthia Javaras made her first career start in right field for Sarah Tacke, who sat out because she was bothered by an injury.
Holstun started the second game and threw 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs, all earned, on seven hits. Wilburn pitched 2 1/3 in relief and allowed three earned runs. Both UVa pitchers fanned two batters.
Virginia returns to action this weekend at The Park, playing host to North Carolina. The two squads will play a pair Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. before closing out the series at 1 p.m. Sunday. The games will be the final home contests of the season for the Cavaliers.