Hylton Homers Twice In 9-3 Win Over St. Thomas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Jade Hylton homered twice on Sunday (Feb. 18) to help the Virginia softball team (6-4) to a 9-3 win over St. Thomas (1-9) to close play at the Easton Bama Bash.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia jumped out to the quick lead as Jade Hylton hit the first of two home runs on the day, this one a two-run shot that scored Sarah Coon who reached on a single in the previous at-bat.

The teams settled into a pitcher’s duel until the sixth when the Cavaliers exploded for four runs. A double and a single put two on to start the inning before Abby Weaver singled to drive in the first run. With runners at the corners, Kailyn Jones singled through the right side to drive in a run and put runners at first and second. A sac bunt moved them both into scoring position to set up a two-RBI triple from Kelly Ayer to cap the scoring for Virginia in the frame.

St. Thomas answered in the home half, pushing three runs across with a rally that started with back-to-back singles before a double to right center brought the first two runs home. A two-out single to right brought the third run home before Virginia could get out of the inning.

The Cavaliers put together a three-run ninth inning to put the game out of reach, using an inside-the-park home run from Hylton and a two-RBI double from Weaver to claim the 9-3 lead. Virginia’s pitchers retired the Tommies’ side in order in the home half to lock up the win.

Madi Harris (2-0) picked up the win as she worked 3.0 scoreless innings in the start and allowed one hit with a walk and four strikeouts.

Ella Cook (1-2) took the loss, allowing six runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Madi Harris picked up her second straight win after taking a relief win over Southern Indiana on Saturday.
• Jade Hylton turned in her first multiple-home run game with her home runs in the first and seventh innings.
• The inside-the-park home run from Hylton was the first for the Hoos since Abigail Barber vs. Hampton (4/30/19).

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“Our goal every weekend is to learn ourselves and take clear feedback home with us so we know exactly where and how to work. In that sense, the weekend was a huge success. I thought the pitching staff made some excellent adjustments from opening weekend to this weekend; we need them to carry that growth into the week and keep grinding.

On the offensive side, I really believe we will put the pieces together. I was happy to see our team make the adjustments at the plate that we talked about in our morning scout meeting: drive pitches to the middle of the field. Overall, our at bats were more productive and of higher quality. I was happy to see that response and we can take that momentum into another strong week of practice.”

ON DECK FOR THE HOOS
Virginia will play at home for the first time this season when the Cavaliers host the Rawlings Classic this weekend. The Cavaliers will host Delaware, Lehigh and Iowa State in the three-day tournament. Virginia hosts Delaware at 3:30 p.m. and then will play Lehigh at 6 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 23).