After being shutout by Rutgers for 13 consecutive innings, the Cavaliers produced when it counted most. Virginia came back from a three-run deficit to win the championship game of the Cavalier Classic, 7-4, in extra innings.
Despite losing 4-0 to the Scarlet Knights on Friday in the first game of the tournament, Virginia found itself in Sunday's final following four decisive victories over Youngstown State, Campbell, La Salle and Towson. The Cavaliers failed to capitalize immediately on their position in the championship, as Rutgers pitcher Cristina Gillman held Virginia scoreless through the game's first six innings.
"[Before the top of the seventh,] we all just said that we had to get it done," freshman Brooke Sorber said.
The Cavaliers certainly did get it done.They exploded offensively in the top of the seventh with three runs which sent the game into extra innings following a scoreless bottom half of the inning.
When a collegiate softball game is tied through seven innings, each team begins its half of the extra inning with a runner on second base.
Virginia took full advantage of this extra runner on a one-out triple by sophomore Sara Larquier which began a Virginia offensive onslaught. A successful squeeze bunt by junior Lauren Dennis, followed by Sorber's RBI double and freshman Elea Crockett's line drive to right, propelledVirginia to a four-run eighth inning and a 7-3 lead.
Rutgers managed to only score their complementary runner in the bottom of the eighth, earning Virginia first place in their opening home tournament of the season.
"This team has a no-die attitude," Virginia coach Cheryl Sprangel said. "I know we have it in us sometimes, and it's hard to expect this to happen all the time. But this team has had a lot of comebacks."
While Virginia's bats were silent most of Sunday, the weather conditions definitely were not. Despite wind gusts in the teens, Virginia pitcher Coty Tolar stood firm, going the distance through eight innings. The freshman allowed four runs on six hits en route to a complete game.
Tolar was not the only outstanding freshman for the Cavaliers Sunday. Sorber turned in the team's best individual offensive performance, going 4-4 with two runs and an RBI. Tolar, Sorber and Crockett all started yesterday's championship and, along with three other freshmen, have contributed significantly to a squad that features only three seniors.
Virginia returns to the diamond Wednesday afternoon against the in-state rival Hokies of Virginia Tech. The doubleheader features games at 2 and 4 p.m. at The Park. With a much-improved 17-15 record, the Cavaliers will attempt to sustain the momentum created from this weekend's exciting come-from-behind performance.
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