Virginia Drops Series Opener To Syracuse

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team (15-9, 3-4 ACC) dropped game one of the weekend series with Syracuse (13-9, 1-3 ACC) on Friday night (March 15) at Palmer Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Syracuse manufactures a pair of runs in the first inning with some small ball and the benefit of a fielding error with two outs. With two in scoring position and two outs, a bunt between the circle and first was fielded, but the ball was dropped at the bag, allowing the two runs to score.

The Hoos got a run back in the bottom of the first following a two hour rain delay. Jade Hylton doubled to left center and took third before the game went into a rain delay. Bella Cabral came to the plate following the delay and doubled to left center to score Hylton and put Virginia on the board.

The Orange extended the lead back to two with a solo home run to open the sixth inning from Taylor Posner. A hit batter with two outs and the bases loaded pushed a second run home in the inning and sent the Cavaliers to the bullpen for Mikayla Houge. She was greeted with a single up the middle that scored two as the lead grew to 6-1 in favor of the visiting team.

Eden Bigham (6-5) took the loss as she allowed six runs – four earned – on four hits with four walks and seven strikeouts through 5.2 innings of work.

Madison Knight (3-2) picked up the win in the complete-game effort, allowing the one run on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Bella Cabral continued to produce at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance and an RBI.
• The game had a rain delay of two hours and one minute following the first at bat in the bottom of the first.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“Our energy was great and we came out enthusiastic. We had some unproductive at bats. We’re getting a lot of production at the top of our lineup, but we need to spread that out in the bottom. We’ve got to find a way to spread the offense out and get more runs on the board. Eden threw it well to start but it got a way a little bit in the sixth. We have to come out tomorrow with passion, energy and intent to even the series. I’m confident we’ll come out ready tomorrow.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia and Syracuse continue the weekend series on Saturday (March 16). First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Palmer Park. It will be Youth Day with youth under 18 admitted free with the online purchase of an adult general admission ticket.