Virginia Falls In Series Finale With Louisville

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team (29-18, 8-13 ACC) fell behind early and weren’t able to rally in a 9-2 loss to Louisville (32-14, 13-4 ACC) in the series finale at Palmer Park on Sunday (April 23).

HOW IT HAPPENED

Louisville got off to the quick start with a leadoff home run from Korbe Otis before the Cardinals would push three runs across in the first inning.

Virginia answered in a wild bottom of the first as two runs came home on a single up the middle from Katie Goldberg that plated Tori Gilbert and Abby Weaver. Initially, it was ruled that Weaver was out at home and Goldberg out at second to end the inning as the senior advanced on the throw home. Upon review, it was determined both Weaver and Goldberg were safe.

Louisville got the runs back and added more in the second, pushing four runs home on four straight singles to take the lead out to 7-2. The Cardinals then added two more runs in the third for a 9-2 lead that would hold for the duration.

Molly Grube (7-9) took the loss as she gave up the three runs on two hits before leaving the game in the first inning. She was the first of four pitchers used on the afternoon by the Cavaliers.

Gabby Holloway (4-1) picked up the relief win as she scattered two hits across 5.1 innings with a walk and four strikeouts.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Jade Hylton was 2-for-4 for the Cavaliers at the top of the lineup, while Tori Gilbert was 1-for-2 with two walks.
• Savanah Henley worked 4.1 scoreless innings in relief with three strikeouts in the outing.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“It was a tough weekend for us. We didn’t expect it to run that way, but that’s how life is sometimes and you have to manage it and bounce back. We’re going to get back after it this week and turn it around and go out to attack at Syracuse next weekend. We’re excited for that opportunity and that we get to keep playing together. I want this team together as long as possible. We love each other. It’s been a fun ride so far, but we’re not done.”

“This senior class has been so impactful to our program. They committed to come to Virginia with no renderings, no plans for a stadium and just a crazy dream and vision from a young, inexperienced head coach who just said let’s do something different in our program. I’m indebted to them and glad they took a chance on me and Virginia. They’ve moved the needle and it’s gratifying to see them go out having made such an impact. I love them and am grateful I got to be their coach for four years. They’re going to go change the world and I’m proud of them.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia hits the road for the final ACC series next weekend when the Hoos take on Syracuse in a three-game series. The series is set to kick off at 3 p.m. on Friday (April 28) at Skytop Softball Stadium.