Wednesday, April 1
Charlottesville, Va.
6:00 PM
Liberty University
11-21
6
at
7
Virginia
23-9
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 0 |
| Virginia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 3 |
Cavaliers Rally for Second-Straight Late Win
4/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
For the second game of the evening, the Cavaliers managed to secure a one-run victory during their final at bats. The nightcap victory came in regulation, as three-straight hits turned a one-run Liberty lead into a 7-6 win for Virginia, Wednesday evening, at the Park.
The win gives the Cavaliers its fourth victory in the past two days, sweeping back-to-back doubleheaders to up their record to 23-9 on the year. The loss leaves Liberty at 11-21 heading back into Big South play this weekend against Charleston Southern.
The Cavaliers used the momentum of their extra-inning victory during the opening game of the evening twinbill to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead after two frames.
Some wildness from Liberty's starting pitcher Sarah Ellis gave Virginia three free base runner in the bottom of the first. Alison Pittman and Carly Winger walked, while Sarah Tacke was struck by a pitch to jam the bases for the home squad.
Clara Kendall followed by singling up the middle to drive in Pittman and Winger and giving Virginia the early 2-0 edge.
The Cavaliers managed to double their advantage during their next trip to the plate, thanks to a triple off the bat of Giannina Cipolloni. The fourth three-base hit of the center fielder's season, scored Nicole Koren and Cynthia Javaras, who singled and walked to reach base, pushing Virginia's lead to four runs, 4-0.
But the lead was short lived, as Liberty's bats came alive in the top of the third to tie the ball game. A miscue began the four-run frame for the Lady Flames, as Cassie Hendrix reached base after a misplayed ball at shortstop.
Danielle Howard followed by singling through the right side of the infield. After the pair of base runners advanced on a groundout, Ashley Bensinger put the Lady Flames on the scoreboard with a double to the gap in left center.
Kaylee West kept things rolling for Liberty with a single up the middle to drive in Bensinger. Amber DePasquale capped the four-run inning with a triple to right field, plating West from first and tying the game at 4-4.
The homestanding Cavaliers managed to regain the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, beginning with a bunt single down the first base line off the bat of Cipolloni. After swiping her 11th stolen base of the year, Cipolloni crossed the plate on a single through the left side of the infield by Winger to give Virginia a 5-4 lead.
The see-saw battle continued, as the Lady Flames regained the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth inning, thanks in part to two Cavalier fielding errors.
Hendrix got her second hit of the game to start off the inning with an infield single to third. Two batters later, Jefferson grounded to first, but the ball was misplayed, allowing Jefferson and Hendrix to remain alive on the base paths.
Bensinger lined out to second and it looked like Virginia might get out of the situation, as West lofted a ball to centerfield. But Cipolloni misplayed the ball, allowing Jefferson and Hendrix to score on the pair of unearned runs and give Liberty a 6-5 edge on the centerfield scoreboard.
Needing another late-inning rally, Virginia opened the bottom of the seventh with a double to left field by Winger, followed directly by a triple to the centerfield fence by Tacke to quickly tie the game at 6-6, as Winger scored.
But the tied did not last long, as Kendall got an infield single to second, plating Tacke on the RBI base hit and ending the contest.
Karla Wilburn picked up the victory, this time in relief to increase her season record to 17-4. The right-hander surrendered one run over the final two innings of work, in relief of Nicole Koren (2.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R 0 ER) and Stephanie Coates (2.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB).
Sarah Ellis went the distance and took her second loss of the evening, falling to 5-14 on the year. The senior was tagged for seven runs on 10 hits, walking four batters and striking out seven more.
The Cavaliers' rally was paced by three multiple-hit batters. Cipolloni was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, followed by 2-for-3 outing from Winger, who crossed the plate twice. Kendall rounded out the trio, batting 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
The Lady Flames pounded out a season-high 11 hits during the contest, led by four multiple-hit batters. Jefferson, Bensinger and DePasquale each finished the game 2-for-4 from the dish, while Hendrix scored twice and was 2-for-3 during her plate appearances.
The Lady Flames will take the next two days off before return to Big South Conference action this weekend when they host Charleston Southern.
The three-game series against the Big South's leading team with a 5-1 league mark has been moved to a Saturday-Sunday series due to the threat of weather on Friday. The squads will play two games on Saturday and the finale on Sunday, beginning 1 p.m., on both days.
The win gives the Cavaliers its fourth victory in the past two days, sweeping back-to-back doubleheaders to up their record to 23-9 on the year. The loss leaves Liberty at 11-21 heading back into Big South play this weekend against Charleston Southern.
The Cavaliers used the momentum of their extra-inning victory during the opening game of the evening twinbill to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead after two frames.
Some wildness from Liberty's starting pitcher Sarah Ellis gave Virginia three free base runner in the bottom of the first. Alison Pittman and Carly Winger walked, while Sarah Tacke was struck by a pitch to jam the bases for the home squad.
Clara Kendall followed by singling up the middle to drive in Pittman and Winger and giving Virginia the early 2-0 edge.
The Cavaliers managed to double their advantage during their next trip to the plate, thanks to a triple off the bat of Giannina Cipolloni. The fourth three-base hit of the center fielder's season, scored Nicole Koren and Cynthia Javaras, who singled and walked to reach base, pushing Virginia's lead to four runs, 4-0.
But the lead was short lived, as Liberty's bats came alive in the top of the third to tie the ball game. A miscue began the four-run frame for the Lady Flames, as Cassie Hendrix reached base after a misplayed ball at shortstop.
Danielle Howard followed by singling through the right side of the infield. After the pair of base runners advanced on a groundout, Ashley Bensinger put the Lady Flames on the scoreboard with a double to the gap in left center.
Kaylee West kept things rolling for Liberty with a single up the middle to drive in Bensinger. Amber DePasquale capped the four-run inning with a triple to right field, plating West from first and tying the game at 4-4.
The homestanding Cavaliers managed to regain the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, beginning with a bunt single down the first base line off the bat of Cipolloni. After swiping her 11th stolen base of the year, Cipolloni crossed the plate on a single through the left side of the infield by Winger to give Virginia a 5-4 lead.
The see-saw battle continued, as the Lady Flames regained the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth inning, thanks in part to two Cavalier fielding errors.
Hendrix got her second hit of the game to start off the inning with an infield single to third. Two batters later, Jefferson grounded to first, but the ball was misplayed, allowing Jefferson and Hendrix to remain alive on the base paths.
Bensinger lined out to second and it looked like Virginia might get out of the situation, as West lofted a ball to centerfield. But Cipolloni misplayed the ball, allowing Jefferson and Hendrix to score on the pair of unearned runs and give Liberty a 6-5 edge on the centerfield scoreboard.
Needing another late-inning rally, Virginia opened the bottom of the seventh with a double to left field by Winger, followed directly by a triple to the centerfield fence by Tacke to quickly tie the game at 6-6, as Winger scored.
But the tied did not last long, as Kendall got an infield single to second, plating Tacke on the RBI base hit and ending the contest.
Karla Wilburn picked up the victory, this time in relief to increase her season record to 17-4. The right-hander surrendered one run over the final two innings of work, in relief of Nicole Koren (2.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R 0 ER) and Stephanie Coates (2.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB).
Sarah Ellis went the distance and took her second loss of the evening, falling to 5-14 on the year. The senior was tagged for seven runs on 10 hits, walking four batters and striking out seven more.
The Cavaliers' rally was paced by three multiple-hit batters. Cipolloni was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, followed by 2-for-3 outing from Winger, who crossed the plate twice. Kendall rounded out the trio, batting 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
The Lady Flames pounded out a season-high 11 hits during the contest, led by four multiple-hit batters. Jefferson, Bensinger and DePasquale each finished the game 2-for-4 from the dish, while Hendrix scored twice and was 2-for-3 during her plate appearances.
The Lady Flames will take the next two days off before return to Big South Conference action this weekend when they host Charleston Southern.
The three-game series against the Big South's leading team with a 5-1 league mark has been moved to a Saturday-Sunday series due to the threat of weather on Friday. The squads will play two games on Saturday and the finale on Sunday, beginning 1 p.m., on both days.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Karla Wilburn (17-4)
L: Ellis, Sarah (5-14)
Batting:
2B: Bensinger, Ashley 1
3B: DePasquale, Amber 1
RBI: Bensinger, Ashley 2 ; West, Kaylee 1 ; DePasquale, Amber 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Howard, Danielle 1 ; Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Bensinger, Ashley 1 ; West, Kaylee 1 ; Hendrix, Cassie 2
SB: Hendrix, Cassie 1
CS: Jefferson, J'nae 1
Batting:
2B: Carly Winger 1
3B: Giannina Cipolloni 1 ; Sarah Tacke 1
RBI: Giannina Cipolloni 2 ; Carly Winger 1 ; Sarah Tacke 1 ; Clara Kendall 3
SH: Giannina Cipolloni 1 ; Lauren McCaskey 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Alison Pittman 1 ; Giannina Cipolloni 1 ; Carly Winger 2 ; Sarah Tacke 1 ; Nicole Koren 1 ; Cynthia Javaras 1
SB: Alison Pittman 1 ; Giannina Cipolloni 1
HBP: Sarah Tacke 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
dp/ss
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
Liberty Softball Show with Dot Richardson, Alexia Carrasquillo and Camden Anders.
Wednesday, May 06
Lady Flames Softball Podcast: CUSA Tournament Preview + Dot Richardson and Maci Strickland Join!
Tuesday, May 05
Aubry Norris: A Bigger Purpose
Monday, May 04
Alexia Carrasquillo: Following God's Plan
Wednesday, April 29