Cavaliers Drop 6-2 Decision to No. 18 Oregon

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Virginia softball team (13-5) was defeated by No. 18 Oregon 6-2 Sunday to wrap up competition in the Citrus Classic at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The Ducks (12-3) had two three-run innings and outhit Virginia 7-6. Pitcher Jessica Moore threw all seven innings, allowing one earned run, and finished with seven strikeouts en route to victory.

Virginia was led offensively by freshman Heidi Velk (Murrieta, Calif.), who tallied two infield singles and junior Taylor Williams (Woodbridge, Va.), who doubled.

Junior pitcher Melanie Mitchell (White Plains, Md.) took the loss for UVa. She allowed six earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Oregon got a two-out bases loaded triple from Allie Burger in the second inning to take an early 3-0 lead. The Cavaliers rallied back in the top of the fifth after singles from Velk and senior Giannina Cipolloni (Philadelphia, Pa.). Velk would score on a Duck throwing error and Williams’ double down the left line allowed Cipolloni to come home, cutting the lead to 3-2.

Oregon was able to put up three more runs in the bottom half of the inning to expand its lead to 6-2. The Ducks strung together four hits in the stanza.

Virginia opens Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday at No. 25 Georgia Tech. The two teams will play a doubleheader at 1 p.m. in Atlanta.