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Virginia Beats Tigers 5-3 and 8-4
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team improved to 23-14 this season with two wins over Towson Wednesday at The Park. The Cavaliers won the first game 5-3 before taking game two, 8-4.
Virginia pitcher Melanie Mitchell threw a complete game in the first outing, allowing three runs on nine hits with five strikeouts. She earned her 17th win of the season.
The Cavaliers were led at the plate by freshman Taylor Williams, who went 3-for-3 with three RBI singles. Junior Alison Pittman recorded two singles in addition to classmate Lauren McCaskey’s first home run of the season. Sarah Tacke and Clara Kendall also singled in the winning effort.
UVa took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Tacke singled through the left side and moved to second on an Alex Skinkis sac bunt. Kendall then singled to put runners on the corners. After Kendall stole second, Pittman singled to short, scoring Tacke from third. Kendall came in to score on William’s first RBI single to center.
The Cavaliers tacked on another run in the third when McCaskey led off with a solo shot to left center.
After Towson put a run up in the fourth, Virginia responded in the bottom half of the inning. Kendall led off the inning taking first on a hit by pitch. She moved to second on Pittman’s bunt and then stole third. Kendall scored on another Williams single up the middle.
Williams’ third RBI single came in the sixth. Pittman led off with a single up the middle and stole second; she came in on Williams’ single up the middle.
With Virginia leading 5-1 after six, Towson put up two runs in the seventh, but Mitchell finished the game off with a strikeout and a lineout as the Tigers left the bases loaded.
In game two, the Cavaliers had a four-run fifth to pull out an 8-4 victory over Towson. Stephanie Coates, Nicole Koren and Mitchell each saw time in the circle. Koren earned the win for her fifth victory of the year.
Virginia outhit Towson in game two, 11-9. Giannina Cipolloni, Koren, Tacke and Kristen Hawkins each recorded two hits for the Cavaliers.
UVa tied the game at one in the first inning. Cipolloni led off with a bunt single and moved to second on McCaskey’s sac bunt. Koren then recorded an infield single and Tacke walked to load the bases. Kendall’s walk brought home Cipolloni.
The Cavaliers added three more runs in the second, and Towson answered with two in the third for a 4-3 Virginia advantage.
In the fifth UVa added some insurance runs. Kendall led off with a triple down the right field line. Hawkins then singled to third to put two runners on. Kendall scored on a Williams fielder’s choice as Hawkins moved over to third. Cipolloni then singled to left to score Hawkins. McCaskey followed with a single up the middle to score both Cipolloni and Williams.
The Cavaliers return to ACC play this weekend at No. 6/10 Georgia Tech. Virginia will face the Yellow Jackets in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.