Virginia Sweeps Double Dip With Radford Tuesday

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia (13-4) hit five home runs on the day to sweep a doubleheader with Radford (6-8) at Palmer Park on Tuesday evening as head coach Joanna Hardin picked up her 200th career coaching victory.

GAME 1 – Virginia 7, Radford 0
Jade Hylton got things off to a quick start with a solo home run to straightaway center before Sarah Coon doubled to bring home a second run just three batters later.

The Hoos added a third run in the fourth inning, taking advantage of an error, before breaking things open in the fifth. Three straight hit batters loaded the bases to start the inning before Katie Goldberg delivered a two-RBI single up the middle. Kailyn Jones followed it up with an RBI single through the right side before the Hoos would cap the scoring with a sac fly from Lauren VanAssche.

Jenny Bressler (4-1) picked up the win as she allowed one hit with a walk and six strikeouts through 5.0 innings of work. Savanah Henley closed out the game with three strikeouts and did not allow a baserunner through the final 2.0 innings.

Malorie Reeves (0-4) took the loss, allowing three runs – two of them earned – on five hits with one walk in 4.0 innings of work.

GAME 2 – Virginia 10, Radford 2 (5 Innings)
The Cavaliers started the scoring with the long ball in game two as Leah Boggs hit a two-run home run in the second inning. Virginia would extend the lead with two more runs in the third off hits from MC Eaton and Goldberg.

Radford cut the lead in half with two runs in the fourth, but Virginia answered with a three-run home half. That three-run rally started with the Hoos taking advantage of an error to bring the first run home before Sarah Coon would hit a two-run home run down the left field line.

Virginia closed out the run-rule victory with three runs on back-to-back home runs from pinch hitters Tori Gilbert and Reece Holbrook. Gilbert hit a two-run shot following a leadoff single from Gabby Baylog. Holbrook then delivered her solo shot to left center to end the game.

Courtney Layne (1-0) picked up the victory as she allowed the two runs on six hits with six strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work. Mackenzie Wooten closed out the final frame and struck out one batter.

Chloe Greene (1-2) took the loss, allowing the four runs on six hits and walking one in 3.0 innings of work.

NOTES FROM THE DAY

• Joanna Hardin picked up her 200th career coaching victory with the game one win over Radford.
• Courtney Layne picked up her first collegiate win in her first start in game two of the doubleheader.
• Reece Holbrook’s home run in game two was her first collegiate home run.
• Jade Hylton and Sarah Coon each hit their fifth home runs of the year to tie MC Eaton for the team lead.
• The 13-4 start to the season is the best start through 17 games since the 2012 team also started 13-4. 

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“The team came out ready to go. This is our sixth day of action in a row and the team came out with intent and focus. We started with some good at bats, but then some not so good at bats, but they hung in there and stuck with it. I love that we’re learning and growing together. The pitching staff has kept us in every game and it was awesome to see Courtney (Layne) get her first start and Mackenzie (Wooten) close things out. To see Tori and Reece (after the back-to-back home runs) with big smiles and how happy they are was really gratifying.”

On her 200th career victory
“You don’t get wins without great players and coaches. I’ve been blessed to be around some really great people and have amazing players who have stuck with me through highs and lows. The wins are a testament to the amazing people I’ve had the opportunity to be around and coach. I’m grateful for all my players I’ve had the chance to coach and grateful to the ones who will be here for however many more are ahead.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia continues to play at home this weekend as the Cavaliers host the Palmer Park Clash. Play for the Hoos begins on Friday (March 3) against Fairfield at 3 p.m. and continues against DePaul at 5:30 p.m.