March 3, 2018

Box Score Game One | Box Score Game Two

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Virginia (7-11) launched a record-tying five home runs against UMBC (1-10) to split a pair of games on day one of the District Classic.

The Cavaliers dropped an 11-8 heartbreaker to Columbia in nine innings in the opening game of the day. 30 minutes later, the Hoos bounced back with a 12-2 rout of UMBC to split the day.

GAME ONE | VIRGINIA 8 – COLUMBIA 11

Columbia started fast with a run in the first and second inning each to build a 2-0 lead. A triple and single did the damage in the first before a solo, wind-assisted home run tallied in the second.

The Hoos responded with a five-run top of the third, using four hits to capitalize on three Columbia miscues. After an error on a potential double-play ball put two aboard, Allison Davis (Oak Hill, Va.) drove a single into center field to plate one. Another run would score from first as the ball skipped past the center fielder.

A walk put runners at the corners and the Hoos plated another as Hayley Busby (Phoenix, Ariz.) stole second and the throw sailed wide into center field. The Cavaliers made it 5-2 with back-to-back RBI-doubles from Lacy Smith (Lancaster, Pa.) and Danni Ingraham (Laguna Niguel, Calif.).

The Lions clawed a pair back in the bottom half as an error allowed a pair to score on a home run that bounced off the top of the left field wall.

The slugfest continued as the Hoos answered back with two of their own in the fourth. Madi Traver (Coppell, Texas) drew a 10-pitch walk to start the frame before Kate Covington (McLean, Va.) singled to put two aboard. Both came across the plate on Busby’s two-out double to left center.

Virginia added to its lead in the seventh as Smith started the inning with an infield single. An error put two aboard and Ashlee Davis (Gilbert, Ariz.) plated the Hoos’ eighth run of the day with an RBI-single to left.

Columbia rallied in the bottom half, scoring four runs on a pair of hits to level the game at 8-8. A pair of wild pitches and a passed ball also aided the Lions, sending the Hoos into extras for the first time this season.

It appeared Virginia had taken the lead in the top of the ninth as a perfectly executed hit-and-run saw Ashley Jennings (Forest, Va.) double into the left field corner to score Tabby Dabney (Mechanicsville, Va.), but Dabney was called for leaving early, erasing the run.

Columbia would walk off in the bottom half on a three-run home run from Amanda Nishihira.

Dabney (0-3) took the loss in relief for the Cavaliers.

GAME TWO | VIRGINIA 12 – UMBC 2 (5 INN.)

Playing with a 20-plus mph wind howling out to center, the Cavaliers used the long ball to build an early lead and rout UMBC. The Hoos matched a school-record by launching five home runs in the game.

Allison Davis led the game off by painting the right field line for a triple. She would score on Busby’s single to center for a 1-0 lead.

In the second, the Hoos went back-to-back for the first time this season. Jennings launched her first career home run, a no-doubt shot to left, before Erika Osherow (Darien, Conn.) sent one riding the wind to center. Virginia added a fourth run to its lead on Busby’s double off the left field wall, scoring Allison Davis from first.

Virginia blew the game wide open in the third, tacking up eight runs on eight hits. The Cavaliers launched three home runs in the inning and batted around. A lead-off single from Ashlee Davis and a walk from Covington set the table for Jennings to uncork her second homer of the game. The catcher sent a three-run shot to center, making it a 7-0 lead.

Back-to-back doubles from Osherow and Molly Keshin (New Canaan, Conn.) plated another run for the Hoos. Allison Davis followed with her team-leading fourth home run to make it 10-0. Busby then singled before Ingraham went deep to right center for the third blast of the inning.

UMBC (1-10) got its two runs off a fourth-inning home run.

Osherow (4-5) earned the win with three scoreless innings in the start. The junior scattered a pair of hits while striking out three. Janelle Zellars (Forest, Va.) worked two innings in relief allowing the two runs on three hits while striking out a career-high four batters.

UP NEXT
Virginia wraps the District Classic on Sunday with matchups against Iona and Howard. First pitch against Howard is set for 10 a.m.