Cavaliers Knock Off Liberty in 10 Innings, 3-2

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LYNCHBURG, Va. -The Virginia softball team (23-30) knocked off Liberty in game two of a doubleheader, 3-2 in 10 innings, to split a twin bill Tuesday in Lynchburg, Va. Freshman Erica Cipolloni had the game-winning single which allowed teammate Taylor Williams to score what proved to be the game-winning run in the top of the 10th inning.

Sophomore pitcher Melanie Mitchell tossed all 10 innings in game two and finished the contest with a season-high 17 strikeouts. Neither of Liberty’s two runs were earned; Mitchell also did not allow a walk.

Virginia scored twice in the top of the first inning and the Flames (24-26) responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth.

With one out in the top of the 10th, Williams notched a single to short and stole second. Giannina Cipolloni followed with a bloop single to center putting runners on first and second, and Alison Pittman was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Erica Cipolloni then stepped to the plate and hit a long fly ball to the warning track in right field. It dropped for a single and Williams came in to score to give Virginia a 3-2 advantage.

Liberty had runners on first and second with no outs and eventually loaded the bases with two outs, but an Ashley Bensinger flyout to center ended the contest.

Virginia outhit the Flames 9-5 in the second game. Both Giannina Cipolloni and Erica Cipolloni, along with freshman Stephanie Harris, tallied two hits apiece. Alison Pittman and Marcy Bowdren also singled.

Liberty bested UVa 8-0 in five innings in game one of the doubleheader. Kennedy Byxbee had the team’s only hit, a single in the top of the fifth.

Virginia competes next in the ACC Championship, scheduled to begin Friday, May 13, in Atlanta, Ga. Pairings for the event will be announced Sunday at the conclusion of regular season play.