Virginia Softball Suffers Setback in Shutout Loss to Liberty

Matt Newton | Apr 10, 2024

Mikayla Houge delivers a pitch during the Virginia softball game against Liberty at Palmer Park. / Virginia Athletics

Two weeks ago to the day, Virginia softball held Liberty to just one run and came away from Lynchburg with a hard-earned 3-1 victory. In the rematch two weeks later in Charlottesville, the Cavaliers again held the Flames to a single run. But this time, it wasn't enough.

The UVA bats were shut out for just the second time all season and Virginia (26-12) suffered a 1-0 loss to Liberty (23-16) on Tuesday night at Palmer Park.

This game was the definition of a pitcher's duel with both starters going the distance. Liberty freshman starter Katie Love just barely got the better of UVA's Mikayla Houge to earn the win. Love held the Cavaliers scoreless on six hits and struck out three batters with no walks. Houge struck out four and gave up only two hits in seven innings, but one of those hits was a leadoff single in the top of the fifth that eventually resulted in the game's only run as the Flames successfully executed some small ball to bring home the game-winning run with a groundout.

Virginia had opportunities with runners in scoring position in the third and fifth innings, but failed to capitalize. The Cavaliers stranded seven runners on base and were held scoreless for the first time since March 1st. It also snapped a streak of eight-straight games with at least three runs scored for UVA.

Virginia will look to get back on track this weekend as NC State comes to Charlottesville for the final home series of the regular season. The series opens on Friday at 7pm, with game 2 following at 2pm on Saturday, and then the Cavaliers will celebrate Senior Day in the series finale on Sunday at noon at Palmer Park.