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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Freshman Clara Kendall had the game-winning RBI in both games of a doubleheader as the Virginia softball team (23-9) squeaked out two wins against Liberty (11-21) Wednesday at The Park. The Cavaliers recorded a 2-1 eight-inning victory in game one followed by a 7-6 win in game two.
The first game saw extra innings. Senior Carly Winger was placed on second base to start the stanza. After Sarah Tacke successfully moved Winger over to third following a sacrifice bunt, head coach Eileen Schmidt called for the suicide squeeze. Kendall laid down a perfect bunt Winger slid successfully into home plate for the Virginia win.
In the second game, Virginia trailed 6-5 heading into the seventh inning after Liberty put up two runs in the sixth. Winger led off with a double to left field. Tacke followed with a triple to the center field wall as Winger scored to tie the game at six. Kendall then slapped the ball over to the second baseman as Tacke crossed home plate for the Cavalier win.
Senior Karla Wilburn recorded a complete game in the first contest, allowing one run on seven hits with two strikeouts. The senior hurler also picked up the game two victory after coming on in relief to improve her record to 17-4 on the year. She tossed the final two innings and did not allow a single hit.
Virginia returns to ACC play this weekend, welcoming Maryland to The Park for a three-game series. The Cavaliers and Terrapins will play a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday.