Virginia Upsets No. 13 Oregon 3-2

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Virginia softball team (10-6) split its first two games against ranked opponents, including a 3-2 upset of No. 13 Oregon, on the first day of the Citrus Classic at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports.

In the first game of the day, the Cavaliers dropped a 9-1 decision to No. 17 Louisiana-Lafayette in five innings.

Against the Ducks (15-3), the game was tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh, where Virginia was the home team. Sophomore Alex Skinkis led off with an infield single to the shortstop. A head’s up base running play by Skinkis put her on second after a Kennedy Byxbee popped up a bunt against the fence behind home plate.

With Skinkis on second and one out, Alexa Martinez stepped the plate at hit a ball to the third baseman. She overthew first on the play and Skinkis was able to score the winning run from second.

Freshman Erica Cipolloni picked up the win in the circle for Virginia. She threw all seven innings and allowed two runs on eight hits.

Skinkis led Virginia with two hits against Oregon, including a two RBI triple in the fourth inning. Giannina Cipolloni, Alison Pittman, Marcy Bowdren and Stephanie Harris also singled for the Orange and Blue.

In the first game against ULL, the Ragin’ Cajans (15-2) put up all nine of their runs in the second inning. Virginia was outhit 10-3 for the contest.

Bowdren scored UVa’s only run after leading off the fourth with a double. Erica Cipolloni hit her in after a RBI single to center. Martinez and Pittman also singled in the contest.

The Cavaliers continue play in the Citrus Classic with two more games Saturday against Illinois State (10 a.m.) and Long Island (12:30 p.m.).