Virginia Runs Past Lehigh In 7-1 Victory; Sunday Schedule Amended

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Senior Madi Harris picked up her ninth career save on Saturday (Feb. 24) to tie the Virginia career record as Virginia (8-4) downed Lehigh (2-8) by a score of 7-1 at Palmer Park.

Virginia was also scheduled to play Iowa State on Saturday, but inclement weather in the area forced a change to the remaining schedule for the Rawlings Classic.

NEW SCHEDULE SET FOR SUNDAY
Virginia’s schedule for Sunday has shifted due to the inclement weather on Saturday afternoon. The Cavaliers will still play two games, but will kick off the day against Iowa State and close the day with a single game against Delaware.

Sunday Schedule
10 a.m. – Iowa State vs. Virginia
12:30 p.m. – Lehigh vs. Iowa State
3 p.m. – Delaware vs. Virginia

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia pushed three home in the second inning to get the game started. The rally began when the Hoos took advantage of a throwing error with the bases loaded, bringing home Abby Weaver and Kelsey Hackett. A fielder’s choice from Bella Cabral two batters later brought home Kelly Ayer for the 3-0 lead.

Lehigh loaded the bases with one out in the fifth and scratched out a run with a single up the middle from Amanda Greaney. The ball back up the middle was fielded by Ayer in center who threw home for the out on the trail runner to limit the damage to one run in the frame.

The Cavaliers got the run back in the home half when Ayer drove a triple to the wall in right center to score Hackett who reached on a fielder’s choice. Virginia continued to build on that start with three more runs as Jade Hylton delivered a two-RBI single up the middle and Bella Cabral followed it up with an RBI single down the left field line for the 7-1 lead.

Savanah Henley (2-0) notched the win, pitching 4.0 scoreless innings and allowing one hit with a walk and three strikeouts. Madison Harris picked up the save – her first of the season and ninth of her career – as she worked the final 2.1 innings, allowing on one hit with three strikeouts as she held the Mountain Hawks off the board.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Madi Harris’ save tied the UVA career record, matching Erin Horn (2003-06) with nine saves for her career.
• Jade Hylton went 3-for-3 on the day and her two RBI brings her season total to a team-leading 13 RBI.
• Bella Cabral also tallied two RBI on the day with her 2-for-4 performance at the plate.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“Savanah Henley gave us a great start and was throwing well. We game planned to split the game from the start to work on tactical moves as we approach conference play. Madi Harris did a great job coming in under some tough circumstances and closing the door. She handled the bases-loaded jam really well. I’m really proud of her.

“Offensively we left a lot of runners on and I thought we could have made adjustments a little earlier. Moving forward into tomorrow, the next week and conference play we need to execute the game plan early and then stick with it. We knew their pitcher was good with some big wins and a solid career. I’d like to see our offense execute early and hold their ground throughout the game, but overall it was a good win.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia closes out the weekend with a doubleheader against Delaware starting at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 25).