The Virginia softball team pulled out two important wins Wednesday over James Madison, sweeping the Dukes in an afternoon doubleheader.
The first win rode largely on the strength of Erin Horn, who virtually single-handedly shut down the Dukes' offense. Horn was almost unhittable, allowing only 3 hits and tallying 14 strikeouts in the 4-0 win.
"I came out and just did what I was supposed to, kept the walks down and I didn't give them anything they could take advantage of," Horn said.
Virginia struck early offensively in the first inning, with leadoff hitter Elea Crockett scoring on Dukes pitcher Renee Bounds' first error of the day. The score came after a bunt single by Cavaliers centerfielder Jessica Taylor forced Crockett to second.
"I think [the bunt] is something that is definitely part of my game," Taylor said. "Me and Elea, being on the left side and quicker, being able to read the defense, and especially today, the corners never really came in, and it's always open, it's like a guaranteed hit for us."
The Cavaliers scored again to make the score 3-0 in the third inning on the heels of another error by Bounds. Some timely hitting provided two runs for the Cavaliers. Unable to capitalize further, Virginia left two runners on base.
The Dukes' only real chance to score came in the top of the fifth, when, with a runner on base, a fielding error by the Cavaliers' left fielder Lindsey Preuss opened the door. With a runner on second, Horn shut the door. A fielder's choice and two strikeouts later, Horn and the Cavaliers were out of trouble.
With yet another error by the Dukes, the Cavaliers were given the opportunity to blow the game wide open in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Crockett singled to right field, scoring one run before Brooke Sorber was gunned down at the plate.
In the second half of the doubleheader, the Cavaliers managed to pull out a tight 4-3 win, again thanks largely to Horn's timely pitching.
Once again, Virginia drew first blood, scoring in the third after two more errors by the Dukes infield.
James Madison struck back in the fourth inning, however, with a run of their own -- the first on the afternoon. Back to back doubles by Dukes' Jenn Chavez and Katie George and a single by Julia Dominguez put James Madison in a position to avenge their errors. However, Cavaliers pitcher Karla Wilburn had other ideas coming in from out of the bullpen for Coty Tolar. Wilburn forced two ground-outs and a foul-out to end the Dukes' rally.
Virginia came back with three runs of its own in the fifth. After some timely Cavalier hits, Taylor came to the plate with the bases loaded, a situation in which the Cavaliers have struggled of late.
"You just know that your hit can win it for the team," Taylor said. "At least my mentality going in is that I need to attack strikes."
And attack strikes she did. Taylor smacked a three-run triple over the center fielder's head to put Virginia back on top.
"We have been able to put pressure on people, and we've never been able to come through with that big hit when we needed it," Virginia coach Karen Johns said. "Taylor got up there and stepped up with the triple, and that was huge for us because that was something we've been preaching and preaching and finally somebody did it and it takes the pressure off of everyone else." James Madison wasn't giving up easily, however. A single by Chavez brought Johns to the mound to bring Horn back in for the save. Horn completed the inning and the save but not before a long homerun off the bat of Dominguez made the score 4-3 where it would stay.
Horn's performance Wednesday reflected the stability the Cavaliers have been searching for in their pitching staff and look to carry out through the rest of the season.
Horn's "been probably the most consistent of the staff, and we're really pleased with her coming in and closing that second game out for us," Johns said.
The Cavaliers return to action Saturday when they will travel to College Park to face the Maryland Terrapins in a weekend series.
Read More
Volleyball holds off Boston College in tight five-set win
By Lauren Halak | 22 hours agoSenior outside hitter Elayna Duprey led the team throughout the match with 22 points and 18 kills.
Virginia annihilated 41-14 in a must-win contest versus North Carolina
By Peter Kriebel | 2 days agoJust about everything that could have gone wrong for Virginia football went wrong.
No. 24 women’s soccer not to be denied in late win over Clemson
By Sam Chun | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers topped Clemson 1-0 in front of a packed out Klöckner Stadium.
