Virginia Softball Ends Regular Season With Shutout Win Over Longwood

The Cavaliers snapped a six-game losing streak and ended the regular season on a high note by shutting out the Lancers on Tuesday evening in Farmville

Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics

After losing six games in a row, the Virginia softball team was looking to turn things around heading into the postseason. The Cavalier pitching staff gave up 24 runs in the series against Syracuse, but on Tuesday night, four pitchers combined for a shutout against the Longwood Lancers to wrap up the regular season with a 3-0 victory on the road. 

Virginia put pressure on early after Jade Hylton doubled and Kelly Ayer walked to begin the game. Tori Gilbert reached on an error with one out, allowing Hylton to score, and then Kelly Ayer scored later on a wild pitch.

On defense, Molly Grube got the start for Virginia and pitched three shutout innings, scattering four hits and striking out four while issuing no walks.

The Cavalier pitching staff continued the solid showing with a scoreless 1.1 innings from Mikayla Houge, two innings from Savanah Henley, and the final two outs from Eden Bigham to secure the shutout.

After stranding runners in scoring position in the fifth inning, the Hoos put together a two-out rally for an insurance run in the sixth. Katie Goldberg singled and Kelsey Hackett came in to pinch run for her. Reece Holbrook walked and Leah Boggs hit a ball to third base that resulted in an error and Virginia’s third run.

Savanah Henley retired the Lancers in order in the bottom of the sixth. In the seventh inning, Longwood had a one-out double. However, Eden Bigham managed to retire the final two batters to seal the victory.

Savanah Henley got the win for Virginia, with Bigham picking up the save. The first three hitters had six of Virginia’s eight hits, with Jade Hylton, Kelly Ayer, and Abby Weaver registering two hits apiece.

Virginia wraps up the regular season at 30-21 overall, and will start the ACC Softball Championship next week. As of now, the Cavaliers sit in ninth place in the conference, which would have them face the eighth seed Syracuse on March 10th if standings hold. 

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