Hickey Drives In Three As No. 17 Virginia Downs Louisiana 5-4Hickey Drives In Three As No. 17 Virginia Downs Louisiana 5-4

Hickey Drives In Three As No. 17 Virginia Downs Louisiana 5-4

Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Catcher Reagan Hickey drove in three runs on the night, including the game-deciding run in the sixth, as No. 17 Virginia (32-6) defeated Louisiana (22-18) by a score of 5-4 at Palmer Park on Wednesday (April 8).

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia scored in the first inning with a two-out single up the middle from Reagan Hickey. Jade Hylton and Jaiden Griffith scored on the play after both batters reached on walks and got into scoring position on a wild pitch.


The Ragin’ Cajuns tied things up in the fourth with a two-out single to right center from Cecilia Vasquez. Both runners reached on singles to start the inning before advancing to scoring position on a groundout.

Hylton’s two-run home run in the fifth put the Hoos back in front, 4-2, but again Louisiana answered with a two-run rally in the top of the sixth.


Virginia reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth with a sac fly to left from Hickey, scoring Kelsey Hackett from third. The Cavaliers then slammed the door shut to take the 5-4 victory in the seventh.

Eden Bigham (11-1) picked up the win in relief, working 3.0 innings and allowing two runs – one of them earned – on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Julianne Tipton (4-2) took the loss in relief, allowing two runs on two hits with a walk and three strikeouts through 2.0 innings of work.

NOTING THE HOOS

 

  • Jade Hylton’s home run in the fifth inning was her sixth of the season and the 49th of her career. 
  • Reagan Hickey now has eight multiple-RBI games this season with her three-RBI performance.
  • Hylton is now tied for the program lead in multiple-RBI games with 40 for her career, matching the mark set by Sara Larquier (2003-06).
  • The win over Louisiana was only the second in program history and first since a 2010 victory. It was the seventh meeting all-time between the teams and first since 2011. 

    FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
    “The entire game was really gritty on both sides and really competitive. Reagan (Hickey) came up with a big single in the first inning to capitalize on some free passes. She had a great day at the plate with three big RBI. The pitching staff was super gritty. I like that it was back and forth. There’s a lot of good things from tonight’s game. It was tough and that’s what it’s going to take. It was a great team win. We will keep moving forward and fighting through to finish strong.”

    UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
    Virginia continues to play at home this weekend, hosting No. 11 Virginia Tech in the Commonwealth Clash at Palmer Park. Game one of the three-game series is set for 6 p.m. on Friday (April 10), with game two at 2 p.m. on Saturday (April 11) and the finale at 4 p.m. on Sunday (April 12).