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Softball
Virginia Slated for Five Games at Winthrop Softball Tournament
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – After a 3-1 opening weekend, Virginia softball returns to action with five games at the Winthrop Softball Tournament in Rock Hill, S.C. beginning Friday (Feb. 14).
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 14 – vs. UNCG | 12:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 14 – at Winthrop | 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15 – vs. Holy Cross | 3 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15 – vs. Georgetown | 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 16 – vs. Boston | 9:30 a.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
Friday’s game against Winthrop will be streamed on ESPN+. Live stats will be available for all five games of the weekend.
QUICK START
• Virginia’s 3-1 opening weekend might not look like much on paper, but it represents the program’s best start since the 2013 season.
• Just two wins at the Winthrop Invitational would guarantee the Cavaliers’ best start since 2012 when they opened the season 13-2. That was the last season Virginia finished with a winning record.
GRUBE’S GREAT DEBUT
• Freshman Molly Grube (Chesterfield, Va.) made quite the impression with her first collegiate start.
• She tossed a complete game against App State, allowing just a single unearned run.
• Grube struck out six without issuing a walk. She also scattered five hits.
• The lone run came on an error in the 7th. The next batter hit into a double play to end the inning.
GILBERT GOING STRONG
• It was quite a memorable opening weekend for sophomore Tori Gilbert (Mechanicsville, Va.) who hit in all four games and led the Cavaliers with a .571 average.
• She produced her first career triple as part of a three-hit game in the season opener against Charlotte.
• Gilbert added another three-hit performance in the second matchup against the 49ers.
RAYLE ROCK SOLID
• As she showed in her freshman campaign, sophomore pitcher Aly Rayle (Herndon, Va.) is always ready to compete.
• She went 2-0 on opening weekend, including coming out of the pen to throw all seven innings against App State on Sunday. Rayle retired 11-straight to keep Virginia in the game before the Cavaliers mounted their comeback.
• Rayle fanned 19 batters and issued just four free passes over the weekend. Opponents hit just .157 off the righty.
THE OPPONENTS
• Virginia is 19-7 all-time against UNCG, the Cavaliers’ opening opponent at the Winthrop Softball Tournament. The Spartans have captured the past four meetings in the series.
• UNCG is 1-2 on the season with extra-inning losses to Ohio State and South Carolina.
• The Hoos hold a 7-5 edge in the all-time series against Winthrop and have won the only meeting this century, a 5-0 victory in 2013. The Eagles are 2-3 in 2020.
• Virginia and Holy Cross are slated to meet for the first time on the diamond. The Crusaders did not play on opening weekend.
• Virginia is 2-1 all-time against Georgetown. The Hoyas captured the most recent matchup in 2018.
• The Cavaliers meet Boston for only the second time. The only prior meeting was a 10-9 Virginia win in 2003. The Terriers have made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
2020 TICKET INFORMATION
Virginia softball season and single-game tickets are on sale now. All seating is general admission in 2020 with season tickets just $45. UVA faculty and staff may purchase season tickets for $35. Single-game tickets are available for $5 in advance or $8 at the box office on game day.
Fans may purchase tickets online at UVATix.com or through the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium. The ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. for in-person or telephone purchases. Telephone purchases can be made by calling 1-800-542-UVA1 (8821) or locally at 434-924-UVA1 (8821).
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Virginia athletics’ clear bag policy and entry procedures will be in place for all home softball games at Palmer Park this season. More information on the clear bag policy and other Palmer Park policies can be found here.
UP NEXT
In the third week of play in 2020, Virginia will travel to the Wings Etc. Classic at USC Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C.