No. 13 Virginia Locks Up Series With 8-1 Win Over PittNo. 13 Virginia Locks Up Series With 8-1 Win Over Pitt

No. 13 Virginia Locks Up Series With 8-1 Win Over Pitt

Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Macee Eaton drove in three runs and Taylor Smith struck out a career high seven batters in the start as No. 13 Virginia (30-3, 8-2 ACC) locked up the weekend series with an 8-1 win over Pitt (17-15, 4-7 ACC) on Saturday (March 28).

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia pushed three runs home in the first inning on only one hit. Following back-to-back walks to open the game, Macee Eaton singled up the middle for the first run. The next two batters struck out, but three straight walks and a wild pitch after that put the Hoos up 3-0.


Pitt got on the board in the fourth with a solo home run from KK Esparza.

The Cavaliers added three more runs in the fifth, starting with an RBI triple from Eaton that was followed by a double from Kelsey Hackett to drive her in. The rally was capped with a sac fly from Reagan Hickey.


Virgina added two more runs in the sixth with an RBI double from Jade Hylton and a groundout from Eaton.

Taylor Smith (5-0) picked up the victory, allowing one run on the one hit with a walk and seven strikeouts through 4.0 innings of work. Courtney Layne picked up her fourth save of the year, allowing two hits and striking out four across the final 3.0 innings.

Bekah Duck (3-5) took the loss, allowing six runs on three hits with seven walks and three strikeouts through 4.1 innings of work.

NOTING THE HOOS

 

  • Macee Eaton drove in three RBI for the second straight game and now has 51 RBI on the season which is tied for fifth in a single season at UVA.
  • It was Eaton’s 17th multiple-RBI game of the year, one shy of her record setting 18 multiple-RBI games last season.
  • Taylor Smith’s seven strikeouts is a new career high for the freshman pitcher.

    FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
    “There’s a lot of intent right now, lots of focus through fatigue and schedule changes. Clarity at the plate has been huge. Our plate discipline has been on point and being ready to hit. We’re getting the timely hit when we have runners on. When we give run support to our pitching staff, they keep us in games all the time. We’ve been aware and alert and making great decisions on the defensive side of the ball. It’s going to be important to come out and finish strong tomorrow. That’s the next step and leveling up for us. Can we come out and finish the way we know we’re capable of playing,”

    UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
    Virginia and Pitt close out the weekend series on Sunday (March 29) afternoon. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. at Palmer Park and admission is free to the public.