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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The Virginia softball team improved to 25-14 this season with a 4-2 win over Hampton in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday at The Park. The second game was cancelled because of inclement weather.
Senior Casey Steffan led Virginia with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate against the Pirates, including her third home run of the season, and two RBI.
Virginia outhit Hampton 7-2 and did not commit an error. All four of UVa’s pitchers saw action; freshman Stephanie Coates picked up the win thanks to two runs in the sixth for the Cavaliers.
Redshirt sophomore Nicole Koren got the start and tossed the first two innings, allowing one run on one hit with five strikeouts. Karla Wilburn threw the third and fourth and did not give up a hit while fanning three. Allee Rife pitched one inning and gave up one run on one hit while Coates threw the final two innings, allowing no hits with two strikeouts.
First baseman Sarah Tacke also contributed two hits for Virginia at the plate, while Carly Winger and Clara Kendall also had singles.
The Pirates took a 1-0 lead early with a run in the first inning. Evely Garcia walked to start the game. After an infield single by Tiffa Brents put runners on first and second, Garcia stole third. A Koren wild pitch allowed Garcia to score.
Virginia got the run back in the second inning. With one out, Tacke singled to center. A Lauren McCaskey groundout moved Tacke to second. She would score on Steffan’s RBI single to center.
The Cavaliers took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Clara Kendall reached on a fielding error by the third baseman. With one out, Kendall stole second. After Abby Snyder walked to put two runners on, Tacke singled up the middle and Kendall came home to score.
Hampton was able to tie the game once again in the sixth. Jade Jeffries and Sharde Estep both walked to start the inning. After Coates came on to pitch for Rife, Rebecca Magett walked to load the bases. The Cavaliers got the next two batters out but Garcia would then walk to score Jeffries.
Virginia picked up two runs in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead for good. Steffan led off with a homer to right center to complete her 3-for-3 afternoon at the plate. Cynthia Javaras then reached on another Hampton fielding error and later stole second and then third. With just one out, Kendall grounded out to the shortstop and Javaras was able to score on the play.
Hampton’s Amanda Black (13-10) took the loss after throwing all six innings and giving up two earned runs on seven hits. She finished with five strikeouts and three walks.
Virginia concludes the home portion of its schedule with Georgia Tech this weekend. The Cavaliers and Yellow Jackets will play a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday and UVa’s three seniors (Casey Steffan, Karla Wilburn, Carly Winger) will be honored prior to the game.