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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The Virginia softball team (17-5) extended its winning streak to 10 games after picking up two wins Tuesday against George Washington (5-9). The Cavaliers, who surpassed their win total from last season, remained unbeaten at home with an 8-2 win in the first game and a 6-3 victory in game two. Redshirt junior Sarah Tacke hit a home run in each game to lead UVa at the plate.
In the first game, Virginia totaled eight runs on 11 hits, including home runs from Tacke and Nicole Koren. Abby Snyder also had two singles for the Orange and Blue.
In the circle, senior Karla Wilburn moved to 12-1 on the year, throwing six innings and allowing two runs on seven hits. Koren came in to throw the final inning and gave up one hit.
The Cavaliers were first to score in the bottom of the second when Tacke hit a solo shot to right. George Washington was able to tie the game in the top of the third. Amanda Holst led off the inning with a walk and moved to third after two sacrifice bunts from her teammates. The next batter, Kara Clauss, singled up the middle for a RBI.
Virginia took a 3-1 lead in the fourth. Tacke singled up the middle to start the inning and moved over to second after a sac bunt by Clara Kendall. Snyder singled through the right side to score Tacke as Megan Wind then came on to pinch run for Snyder. Koren then singled through the left side to put runners on first and second. Wind then third and would score when Koren safely stole second.
The Cavaliers added five more runs in the fifth, highlighted by Koren’s two-run home run, her eighth of the season. Pittman, Winger, Snyder and Steffan also singled in the inning.
In game two, freshman Stephanie Coates picked up her third consecutive victory, throwing a complete game. She allowed just one earned run on four hits and also struck out six.
The Cavaliers recorded eight hits in the second contest from eight different players. In addition to Tacke’s home run, her eighth of the season, Carly Winger and Lauren McCaskey each doubled.
After GW took a one-run lead with a solo shot in the first, the Cavaliers added two in the bottom half of the inning. Pittman led off with a single to center, stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. Cipolloni brought Pittman home with a sac fly to left. Winger then doubled to left center, stole third, and came home on a throwing error by the catcher.
Tacke’s home run led off the third as Virginia took a 3-1 advantage. The Cavaliers scored two more in the fourth, highlighted by McCaskey’s double and a Giannia Cipolloni single. Snyder singled up the middle with one out in the fifth and later scored after a bases-loaded walk.
Virginia opens ACC play at 1 p.m. Saturday with a doubleheader against Boston College at The Park.