Hoos Get Three Home Runs In 6-4 Loss At UNCG

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Virginia softball team (9-6) got three home runs, but a big third inning by the Spartans proved to be too much to overcome as the Cavaliers fell at UNCG (9-4) on Sunday by a score of 6-4.

Sarah Coon, Katie Goldberg and Lauren VanAssche all hit home runs on the afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia started strong with back-to-back home runs in the first inning from VanAssche and Coon in the first two at bats. The Cavaliers would get another chance with two runners in scoring position in the third, but three straight pop ups ended the threat.

UNCG was able to string together a rally and push five runs across the plate in the bottom of the third to take the lead on the Hoos. The Spartans would then add another run in the fourth to move in front of Virginia 6-2.

Virginia got two runs back in the fifth inning when Katie Goldberg hit a two-run shot, scoring Coon and cutting the lead to 6-4. The Cavaliers would get no closer, however, as UNCG picked up the win to close the weekend tournament.

Mikayla Houge (5-1) took the loss as she allowed the three runs on four hits with a strikeout. She did not walk a batter. Houge was one of four pitchers used by the Cavaliers.

Morgan Scott (5-2) picked up the win as she allowed the four runs on five hits with five walks and five strikeouts in the complete-game effort.

NOTES ON THE DAY
• Lauren VanAssche hit her first home run of the season with her leadoff homerun in the first inning.
• It was the first leadoff home run for the Hoos since Haley Busby did it against Notre Dame (4/19/19).
• VanAssche and Coon’s back-to-back home runs was the second time this season UVA hitters went back-to-back.
• Katie Goldberg hit her fourth home run of the season with the two-run shot in the fifth inning.
• Madison Harris worked a season-long 2.2 innings to close out the game with three strikeouts.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“I’m really grateful to the UNCG staff and grounds crew for working hard to get the field ready for our game today. We knew UNCG would challenge us and we were excited to finish out the weekend with them.

“The game really came down to a few key moments. We had multiple opportunities to put the game out of reach and we didn’t execute. The atmosphere was similar to what we will have headed into the conference segment of our season, so I’m really glad our team was put into some tight situations. Madi Harris came in and shut the door for us in the circle, which was a huge lift and kept us in the game. There were a lot of positives in the game; getting four runs on three home runs is huge. As we continue to mature and grow, out at bats will be of higher quality in key moments. I love this team and am excited to take the field with them at Liberty on Tuesday.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia returns to action on Tuesday afternoon, traveling to take on Liberty (8-6) in a 5 p.m. contest at Kamphuis Field at the Liberty Softball Stadium. The game is set to stream on ESPN+ and live stats will also be available.