Virginia Dominant in 12-0 Win at NC State

RALEIGH, N.C. – Virginia (18-30, 6-16 ACC) rode a one-hit performance in the circle and a 12-run offensive outburst to run-rule NC State (26-24, 6-13 ACC) 12-0 in five innings on Friday night (April 26).
 
Freshman Aly Rayle (Herndon, Va.) tossed Virginia’s first one-hitter since 2013 and set a career high with 11 strikeouts. Rayle (7-12) threw her second-consecutive complete game and first career shutout to earn the win. The lone blemish on Rayle’s line was a single in the third.
 
Fellow freshman Tori Gilbert (Mechanicsville, Va.) also produced a career day, launching a pair of homers for the first time. Gilbert finished with a career-high three hits and five RBI to lead Virginia’s offensive onslaught.

KEY INNING
Abigail Barber (Providence Forge, Va.) launched a solo home run off the scoreboard in right field to jumpstart a six-run second inning for Virginia. A pair of NC State errors allowed two more Cavaliers to cross the plate before Gilbert unloaded a three-run blast to left center to punctuate the frame.
 
TOUCHING HOME
• Barber started the second inning with a solo homer and Gilbert capped the frame with a three-run shot to give Virginia a 6-0 advantage.
• Barber started another rally in the third as her single along with knocks from Arizona Ritchie (Stafford, Va.) and Hayley Busby (Phoenix, Ariz.) led to three runs and a 9-0 lead.
• Kate Covington (McLean, Va.) drove a ground ball to second which eluded the Wolfpack second baseman to plate Virginia’s 10th run of the day.
• Gilbert’s second shot of the night, a line drive to center, made the final margin 12-0.
 
ON THE LINES
• Rayle recorded five or more strikeouts in consecutive starts for the first time as a Cavalier. Her 11 punchouts nearly doubled her previous career high of six.
• Barber’s home run was her first since Feb. 24 against Kansas. She finished 2-for-3 at the plate.
• Gilbert went 3-for-4 with her two home runs, setting career highs in hits, RBI and homers in a game.
• Busby went 3-for-4 for the second consecutive game, adding a pair of RBI.

UP NEXT
Virginia and NC State will continue the series on Saturday (April 27) with a 2 p.m. first pitch at Dail Stadium.