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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The Virginia softball team (12-5) picked up two wins Saturday in a doubleheader against Rider (0-4) at The Park. The Cavaliers claimed the first game 15-3, highlighted by a five-RBI performance at the plate by Carly Winger. In game two, Casey Steffan homered for the first time this season in a 6-0 Virginia win.
Senior hurler Karla Wilburn improved to 10-1 in the circle after throwing all five innings in game one. She allowed two earned runs on seven hits and struck out seven batters.
Virginia had a big second inning, scoring seven runs, to jump out to an 8-0 lead early. The Cavaliers added three in the third and four more in the fourth. Rider scored all three of its runs in the top of the third.
Winger and Sarah Tacke each went 3-of-4 in the batter’s box. Winger was one of four Cavaliers to double, joined by Megan Wind, Nicole Koren and Abby Snyder, who also tallied two hits. Tacke also finished with a triple in the winning effort. Alison Pittman and Clara Kendall also had singles against the Broncs.
In game two, freshman Stephanie Coates earned her third victory of the season. She tossed five innings, allowed just two hits and struck out two. Sophomore Allee Rife came on in relief to throw the final two innings. She did not give up a hit and also struck out two batters.
The Cavaliers had a five-run fourth inning after taking a 1-0 lead in the first. Tacke and Koren each had two hits to pace the UVa offense. Steffan hit her first homer of the year in the fourth, a three-run shot to center. Winger also tripled in game two while Jennifer Bowles and Lauren McCaskey also registered singles.
Virginia continues play at 1 p.m. Sunday with a doubleheader against Lafayette at The Park.