Home Runs Power Split to Close District Classic

March 4, 2018

Box Score Game One | Box Score Game Two

WASHINGTON – Allison Davis (Oak Hill, Va.) lifted a home run in either game and drove in five runs on the day to lead Virginia (8-12) to a split on Sunday (March 4).

The Cavaliers opened the day with a 13-2 run-rule of Howard (2-15), launching four home runs in the game. In the final game of the day, Iona (5-4) pulled away late for a 10-6 victory in a back-and-forth affair.

GAME ONE | VIRGINIA 13 – HOWARD 2 (5 INN.)

For a second-straight game, Virginia used an eight-run third inning to power a run-rule victory.

The Cavaliers built an early 3-0 lead as Allison Davis led off the bottom of the first with her fifth home run of the season. A bases-loaded walk by Ashlee Davis (Gilbert, Ariz.) pushed a second run across in the first for Virginia.

The Hoos made it a 3-0 game in the second as Allison Davis singled home Kate Covington (McLean, Va.) for her second RBI of the game. Howard responded with a pair of runs to cut the lead to 3-2, capitalizing on an error to plate the runs.

In the Virginia third, Olivia Gott (Weston, Fla.) opened the eight-run frame with a solo shot to center. It would be only the beginning as the Hoos went deep three times in the inning. A walk and Ashley Jennings (Forest, Va.) single set the table for Madi Traver (Coppell, Texas) to launch a three-run shot, her third of the season.

With two aboard, Danni Ingraham (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) roped a two-run double to the wall in the right center. The knock expanded the lead to 9-2. Gott would cap the scoring with her second home run of the inning, a two-run blast to left center. The pair of homers brings Gott’s tally to three on the season.

The Hoos added two more for good measure in the fourth as Hayley Busby (Phoenix, Ariz.) extended her hitting streak to six games with an RBI-double to right center. Janelle Zellars (Forest, Va.) made it 13-2 with a RBI-single to center a batter later.

Lacy Smith (Lancaster, Pa.) worked four innings to pick up the win. Smith (4-3) allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits while striking out five. Erika Osherow (Darien, Conn.) tossed a scoreless frame to seal the victory.

Both Traver, 1-for-3, and Gott, 3-for-4, finished the game with three RBI to lead the Cavaliers. The trio of RBI marks a career high for Traver and matches a career best for Gott.

GAME TWO | IONA 10 – VIRGINIA 6

Iona pulled away late to win a game featuring three lead changes and a tie.

Virginia tallied an unearned run in the top of the first to open the scoring as Busby extended her hitting streak to seven games with a one-out single. The shortstop would cross the plate on a mishandled ground ball, making it 1-0 Virginia.

Iona struck right back, scoring four in the bottom half to jump to a three-run advantage. Back-to-back walks to open the inning spelled trouble and double would push both across the plate. Jasmine Temple followed with a two-run home run to make it 4-1 Gaels.

The Cavaliers pulled two back immediately in the top of the second. Doubles from Allison Davis and Busby plated a run each to cut the lead to 4-3. An inning later, Smith tied it up with a solo shot to center field making it 4-4.

In the bottom half of the third, Iona reclaimed the lead as a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases. Tabby Dabney (Mechanicsville, Va.) entered in relief and limited the damage to one. Temple produced her third RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly to right for a 5-4 Gaels lead.

For a fourth-straight inning, the Hoos pushed a run across as Allison Davis picked up her second and third RBI with a two-run blast to left center. The home run is Davis’ sixth of the season and third of the weekend.

Once again, Iona had the answer as the Gaels used three-straight singles, all with two outs, to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth. Iona would retake a 7-6 lead on a wild pitch.

After Virginia left the tying run on third in the fifth and sixth, the Gaels built the lead to 10-6 in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run home run. A leadoff walk and single set the table before Ciarra DiGuilio went deep with two away.

Dabney (0-4) was charged the loss after allowing a pair of runs on two hits in two innings. Osherow started and surrendered five runs on three hits in two innings. Smith worked the final two innings in relief, allowing three runs on two hits.

UP NEXT

Virginia travels to Hampton on Tuesday (March 6) for a doubleheader against the Pirates. The Hoos will then open ACC play by hosting Georgia Tech in a three-game series beginning Friday (March 9).