Seven-Run Sixth Lifts Maryland Over UVa, 8-4
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The Virginia softball team (23-12, 2-7 ACC) fell to Maryland (19-16, 5-4 ACC) 8-4 Sunday as the Terrapins completed the series sweep over the host Cavaliers. Freshman Giannina Cipolloni and sophomore Nicole Koren both homered in the game.
Virginia led 3-1 until the top of the sixth inning when the Terps compiled seven runs in the stanza to take an 8-3 advantage.
Maryland outhit the Cavaliers 11-5 in the contest, despite committing four errors to one for Virginia. Carly Winger, Sarah Tacke and Abby Snyder each tallied hits in addition to the two home runs.
Karla Wilburn took the loss after tossing six innings and allowing eight runs, all earned, on 11 hits. Freshman Stephanie Coates came on to throw the final inning, a 1-2-3 outing that also included a strikeout.
Virginia took a 1-0 lead in the first despite not accumulating a hit. Winger was hit by a pitch to start the game. The next batter, Lauren McCaskey, reached on a throwing error by the first baseman after laying down a sac bunt and Winger moved over to third. After McCaskey stole second, Cipolloni walked to load the bases. Winger would later score on a wild pitch.
Maryland tied the game in the second after Alex Schultz homered to right field. But Virginia came back to score twice in the third.
Cipolloni homered to right center to lead off the inning. With one out, Clara Kendall walked Snyder singled to left to put two runners on. The double steal was enforced moving Kendall to third and Snyder to second. Koren then struck out swinging but the catcher dropped the third strike and ended up hitting Koren in the back of the helmet on the attempt to throw to first. Kendall would score on the play.
Maryland loaded the bases in the sixth with no outs before Lydia Fowler doubled to left center to clear the bases. The Terps piled on four more runs and completed the inning with seven hits to take the lead for good.
Virginia got one back in the sixth when Koren left off with a home run to center, her team-best 10th of the season.
The Cavaliers return to action with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Wednesday against Longwood at The Park.