Boggs’ Home Run Lifts Virginia Over Syracuse 2-1

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A Leah Boggs home run in the second inning was all it took on Saturday (March 16) as Virginia (16-9, 4-4 ACC) evened the weekend series with Syracuse (13-10, 1-4 ACC) with a 2-1 victory over the Orange.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia struck in the second inning with a  two-run shot to center field from Leah Boggs. Reece Holbrook scored on the play after reaching on a leadoff single in the previous at bat.

Syracuse got a run back in the third inning with a sac fly to center from Madelyn Lopez. Peyton Schemmer scored from third on the play and the inning ended on an obstruction call as the trailing runner, Angie Ramos, collided with Hylton on the play trying to advance.

The Boggs home run would hold up down the stretch as the pitching and defense carried the Hoos to the victory.

Julia Cuozzo (2-1) picked up the win, allowing the one unearned run on one hit with a strikeout and no walks through 4.0 innings of work. Courtney Layne picked up her first save of the season, working 3.0 scoreless and hitless innings in relief with a walk and two strikeouts.

Lindsey Hendrix (6-2) took the loss for the Orange, allowing the two runs on three hits with a walk and no strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Leah Boggs’ home run in the second inning was her first of the season and UVA has 16 on the year.
• It is the seventh one-run game of the season for the Cavaliers who are 4-3 in one-run games this season.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“We talked in our scout about sticking to our process. I thought our at bats were better than yesterday. It was frustrating we didn’t have more output, but we were better and we had 14 quality at bats on the day. We strung together six in a row. I was proud to see us stick to it a little more and we had a lot of energy. I’d like to see us come through with runners in scoring position a little more, but that will come as we stick with it and it will happen. Julia gave us a great four innings and Courtney really closed the door. It was a team effort across the board. It was gritty and we can’t wait to come back out tomorrow and have a chance to take the series.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia and Syracuse conclude the series on Sunday. First pitch is set for noon at Palmer Park. The first 200 fans wearing green receive a a voucher for a hot dog combo from the concession stand.