Virginia Downs USI, Gets Nipped By Alabama At Easton Bama Bash

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Virginia softball team (5-4) split games on day two of the Easton Bama Bash, dropping a 3-2 contest to No. 11 Alabama (9-0) before closing the day with a 3-1 victory over Southern Indiana (0-3) on Saturday (Feb. 17).

GAME 1: NO. 11 ALABAMA 3, VIRGINIA 2
For the second straight day it was a game highlighted by pitching and defense as the Crimson Tide picked up the win.

Alabama got a two-out single from Kali Heivilin in the first inning to start the scoring. The Crimson Tide added two more runs in the second with a leadoff home run from Bailey Downing in the second and added an RBI single from Lauren Johnson to take the lead out to 3-0.

Virginia answered with a rally in the third, pushing two across as freshman Macee Eaton drilled a single back up the middle to score Kelly Ayer and Bella Cabral. Ayer opened the inning with a single and then took second on a walk of Jade Hylton. A fielder’s choice from Cabral put her at third before she would take second on a strikeout of Coon to get into scoring position for the Eaton hit.

Eden Bigham (2-2) took the loss in the complete-game effort, allowing three runs on four hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.

Jocelyn Briski (3-0) picked up the win, allowing the two runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts through 4.2 innings of work. Kayla Beaver picked up her first save as she closed out the final 2.1 innings for Alabama.

GAME 2: VIRGINIA 3, SOUTHERN INDIANA 1
Virginia scored a single run in three of the first three innings on Saturday to down the Screaming Eagles by the score of 3-1.

The Cavaliers scored in the first inning when Kelly Ayer came home on a sac fly from Bella Cabral. Ayer singled and stole second before taking third on a groundout from Jade Hylton. Virginia would then add a run in the second inning off a wild pitch and a throwing error that allowed MC Eaton to score. A third run came home in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded wild pitch.

Southern Indiana got its only run of the game in the fifth inning with a one-out double following a leadoff single.

Madison Harris (1-0) picked up the win in relief, entering the game with one out in the first inning and working 3.2 scoreless innings with one hit allowed and a career-high nine strikeouts. Savanah Henley picked up the save as she worked the final 3.0 innings with one run allowed on one hit and four strikeouts.

Raegan Gibson (0-1) took the loss as she allowed the three runs on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“The pitching staff handled business today. I was proud of Eden BIgham for how she finished the game against Bama after giving up 3 runs early.  And again, Madi Harris was ready out of the bull pen in game two to relieve Julia and she never looked back. Overall, I think we haven’t caught our stride yet- that we can play cleaner and sharper in all 3 phases of the game. My hope is that we come out compelled to finish the weekend strong and come out hungry in the morning.”

ON DECK FOR THE HOOS
Virginia closes out the Easton Bama Bash on Sunday (Feb. 18) when the Cavaliers will face St. Thomas at 11:30 a.m. ET.