Virginia Takes 9-0 Run-Rule Victory At Pitt

PITTSBURGH – The Cavaliers got off to a hot start and never looked back as Virginia (21-10, 2-5 ACC) grabbed a 9-0 run-rule victory in five innings at Pittsburgh (14-12, 0-4 ACC) at Vartabedian Field on Friday (March 24). The Hoos got home runs from Tori Gilbert and Katie Goldberg on the way to the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia’s bats started hot with the Cavaliers plating three runs in the first inning. An RBI double pulled down the left field line from Katie Goldberg scored Jade Hylton. Tori Gilbert then drove one over the fence in center field as the two-run shot gave the Cavaliers the 3-0 lead.

Virginia added a fourth run in the second inning with an RBI double from Sarah Coon before plating two more runs in the third. The first run of the third inning came on a single up the middle from Lauren VanAssche with runners in scoring position before a double steal plated the second run of the frame.

Katie Goldberg delivered a home run to left center to open the fourth inning before the Cavaliers would lock up the run-rule victory with a pair of runs in the fifth. The final two runs came home as a throwing error on a double steal allowed Kelly Ayer to go from second home, while Hylton went first to third. A double to left from Goldberg then put the Hoos up 9-0 and Virginia would close things out with a quick bottom of the fifth.

Eden Bigham (7-3) picked up the victory as she scattered four hits with two walks and two strikeouts through the 5.0 inning of work.

Dani Drogemuller (5-5) took the loss as she allowed four runs on five hits with one walk in her 2.0 innings of work. Only three of the four runs were earned.

NOTES ON THE GAME

• The win over Pitt was only the third in program history at Pittsburgh and UVA now leads the overall series 16-10.
• The shutout was the second in conference play this season with both coming off the arm of Eden Bigham.
• Katie Goldberg went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI on the afternoon. Her home run was her first of the season.
• Tori Gilbert was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Her home run was her fifth of the season.
• Kelly Ayer went 2-for-2 and stole three bases on the day to push her season total to 19 stolen bases.
• Virginia stole eight bases on the day to push the season total to 79 steals on 89 attempts.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“We came in and set the tone for ourselves. We had a great plan at the plate and it was executed well. Eden Bigham did a great job with the shutout. Across the board we were locked in and ready to go. It’s good for us to give us some confidence, but the game forgets and tomorrow is a new day. We got to see three of their arms which is good for us going into the rest of the weekend. We’re happy about the outcome and the performance and it puts us in a good spot going into the rest of the series.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia and Pittsburgh will continue the series at Vartabedian Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. on ACC Network.