Virginia Softball Beats Longwood 5-1 in Home Opener

The Virginia softball team celebrated its home opener in appropriate fashion, defeating Longwood 5-1 on Thursday evening at Palmer Park to open the Cavalier Classic.

Virginia threatened to score in the bottom of the first inning as Jade Hylton hit a leadoff single and advanced to second on a fielder's choice, but M.C. Eaton then lined into a double play to end the inning.

The Cavaliers put more pressure on Longwood starter Er'ron Burton in the second inning and this time managed to break through for the game's first run. Gabby Baylog drew a leadoff walk, stole second base, and then advanced to third on a Kelly Ayer bunt. Leah Boggs then brought Baylog home with an RBI single to right field.

The Lancers answered back in the top of the third inning. Jaden Pone drew a two-out walk, stole second, and then came around to score on a Virginia error to tie the game at 1-1.

The tied score didn't last for long. Jade Hylton laced a line drive over the left field fence for a leadoff solo home run, the second homer of the young collegiate career of the freshman.

Jade Hylton said get out of here!

The freshman sends it over the wall in left for the lead!

Watch on ACCNX#GoHoos | #OnTheRise | #HoosNext pic.twitter.com/9fQbKIDvsk
— Virginia Softball (@UVASoftball) February 23, 2023

Sarah Coon reached base as she was tripped by the catcher after a dropped third strike. Coon stole second and then scored as Gabby Baylog singled to center field to make it 3-1.

Meanwhile, Molly Grube was exceptional out of the pitching circle for the Cavaliers. In five innings of work, Grube gave up just one unearned run on only two hits and she struck out eight batters.

UVA extended its lead in the bottom of the fourth as Leah Boggs drew a walk and then came around to score as Longwood committed an error while handling a bunt from Lauren VanAssche. Virginia added another run in the fifth as senior Gabby Baylog drove a deep ball into the UVA bullpen in left field for her second home run of the season, giving the Cavaliers a 5-1 lead.

Gabby Baylog gives one a ride to the bullpen!

Hoos up 5-1 on Longwood.

Watch on ACCNX #GoHoos | #OnTheRise | #HoosNext pic.twitter.com/KjTQXv4ITc
— Virginia Softball (@UVASoftball) February 23, 2023

Freshman sensation Eden Bigham replaced Molly Grube in the pitching circle in the sixth inning and was dominant. Bigham struck out the side in the sixth inning, striking out each batter on a full-count. In the 7th inning, Bigham ran into some trouble as she surrendered a walk and a single, but she managed to retire the side with a foul out to secure the 5-1 victory for the Cavaliers.

With the win, Virginia improves to 7-4 on the season. UVA will continue the Cavalier Classic with a game against Maryland Eastern Shore on Friday at 5:30pm at Palmer Park.

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