Virginia One-Hits Charlotte for Seventh-Straight Win

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Virginia (12-9) rode a season-high 14 strikeouts in the circle to shutout Charlotte (8-12), 6-0, and earn its seventh-straight victory on Tuesday (March 12) at Sue M. Daughtridge Stadium.
 
Graduate student Allyson Frei (Branchville, N.J.) was brilliant in earning the win in the circle. Frei (4-5) worked four innings without allowing a hit. She struck out eight 49ers while issuing three walks.
 
Freshman Clare Zureich (Cary, N.C.)  was equally impressive in relief, working three shutout innings and allowing just a single hit. The southpaw fanned six 49ers while walking one to earn her first career save.

KEY INNING
Senior Lacy Smith (Lancaster, Pa.) roped a one-out single to left center in the top of the first to spark a three-run frame for the Cavaliers. A walk to Olivia Gott (Weston, Fla.) was followed by a three-run home run off the bat of freshman Donna Friedman (Orange, Calif.) to give Virginia the only runs it would need on the day.

 TOUCHING HOME
• Friedman got Virginia off to a quick start with a three-run home run in the top of the first.
• Kate Covington (McLean, Va.) continued her tear at the plate with a two-run homer in the top of the fourth, extending the Virginia lead to 5-0.
• Hayley Busby (Phoenix, Ariz.) added to the Cavalier advantage with an RBI-single in the sixth to make it 6-0.

ON THE LINES
• Smith extended her hitting streak to 11 games with a first-inning single.
• Covington’s home run was her fifth in the past seven games.
• Virginia’s 14 strikeouts as a staff set a new season high and are the most in a seven-inning game for the Cavaliers since 2012.
• Zureich’s six strikeouts mark a career high.
• Seven different Cavaliers had a hit in the win.
• Virginia’s seven-straight wins matches a seven-game streak in 2017 as the longest since 2012 for the Cavaliers.

UP NEXT
Virginia continues its road trip with a 7 p.m. first pitch at Furman (7-15) on Wednesday (March 13).