Virginia Softball Falls at Maryland in 2-1 Heartbreaker
UVA’s offense has been putting undue pressure on the pitching staff, as the team has scored only one run in three-straight games. While the pitchers held Maryland scoreless for most of the game, it is tough to win by only scoring one run, so the lead didn’t last and Maryland won 2-1.
Jade Hylton hit a one-out single and scored from first on an RBI-single from Bella Cabral in the top of the third. Cabral has six RBI in the past five games, and has been one of the few bright spots of the Cavalier offense.
Courtney Layne started the game and pitched three scoreless innings for Virginia, getting six groundouts. Madi Harris came in to relieve her and held the Terrapins scoreless for two innings before running into trouble in the sixth, when she gave up a one-out two-run homer to give Maryland a 2-1 lead. Maryland threatened to extend the lead with the bases loaded, but Eden Bigham got the strikeout to keep the deficit at one.
Virginia used three pinch hitters in the seventh inning to try and change things up. Kelsey Hackett was able to get a pinch hit single and then Kelly Ayer subbed back in and advanced to second on a passed ball with one out. Unfortunately, a strikeout and a groundout ended the game in disappointing fashion.
Coach Hardin admitted the game was “pretty frustrating”, and she mentioned the lack of run support as a key issue. In reference to improving at the plate, she said, “We know that. We’ve talked about that. Now we gotta go to work.”
Now 15-8 on the season, Virginia will look to reinvigorate its offense at Palmer Park when Syracuse comes to town this weekend.
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