Virginia Run Rules Georgia Tech To Even Series

ATLANTA – Virginia (31-17, 14-9 ACC) used an 11-run fourth inning to break things open and post a 16-1 run-rule victory at Georgia Tech (31-21, 12-10 ACC) on Saturday (April 27). The win evened the weekend series and set up the rubber match on Sunday.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia scored first opening the game with a run in the first inning as Abby Weaver took advantage of a fielding error in left to score from first and put the Hoos on top 1-0.

Georgia Tech answered in the third inning with a solo home run to tie the game before Virginia would put its big inning together in the fourth.

The first three batters reached to start the fourth before Sarah Coon drilled a ball that clipped the top of the wall in left and fell back into the field of play to bring two runs home and leave two in scoring position. A walk loaded the bases a second time. Lauren VanAssche then singled to right to drive in two more runs and force a pitching change.

Back-to-back singles from Jade Hylton and Bella Cabral welcomed the new pitcher and brough two more runs home. Weaver then drew a bases-loaded walk to take the lead to 8-1 and force a second pitching change.

A fielder’s choice from Macee Eaton took the lead to 9-1 before Shelby Barbee delivered a three-run shot to left to cap the scoring and put Virginia up 12-1.

The Cavaliers added four more runs in the fifth inning with a sac fly from Cabral and a three-run home run from Weaver as Virginia grabbed the 16-1 lead and set up the run-rule victory.

Mikayla Houge (3-3) picked up the win, allowing the one run on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts.

Chandler Dennis (6-5) took the loss, allowing seven runs – six of them earned – on five hits. She walked two and struck out three. Dennis was the first of four pitchers used on the afternoon.

NOTES ON THE GAME

• The Cavaliers scored 11 runs in the fourth inning, marking the first time in program history the Hoos scored at least 10 runs in a single inning.
• With the win, the Cavaliers hit the 14 win mark in ACC play for the first time in program history.
• Shelby Barbee hit her third home run of the series with her three-run shot in the fourth inning.
• Abby Weaver’s home run in the fifth inning was her first of the season as she went 3-for-3 at the plate.
• Kassidy Hudson recorded her first career hit with her bunt single in the fourth inning.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“We talk about fail recover. Last night we didn’t play our best softball, and today we had great meetings and film study so everyone was very clear on the adjustments we needed to make today. Mikayla Houge got us off to a great start in the circle and let our offense relax. We just passed the bat today and didn’t try to do too much, and that is when we are at our best. It was great to close the day strong and we know we have to fight it out tomorrow to finish the weekend strong.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia and Georgia Tech close out the series on Sunday (April 28) with first pitch set for noon.