TOWSON, Md. – The Virginia softball team (14-35) lost to Towson (30-20) 2-0 and 5-2 Wednesday as the Tigers took a doubleheader played at Towson Center Field.
In game one, the Cavaliers were outhit 8-3. First-year Cynthia Javaras, who got the starting nod in left field, belted two singles while classmate Lauren McCaskey also had a single.
Towson scored both its runs in the bottom of the second. With one out, Stephanie Fudurich singled to right center and moved to second after a wild pitch. Emily Gould would walk to put runners on first and second. A groundout to UVa second baseman Kierstie Cameron put two away but advanced the runners to second and third. The next batter, Meaghan Clark, belted a single to right center to score two.
Karla Wilburn took the loss for Virginia, throwing four innings and allowing two runs on eight hits while also recording a strikeout. Rookie Alle Rife came on in relief to toss the final two innings and did not allow a hit. Rife also recorded three strikeouts in a solid performance.
Shortstop Sammi DiPompo led the Tigers in game one with a 3-for-3 outing at the plate including a double and two singles.
The Cavaliers were first on the board in game two. With two outs in the fourth, third-year Sarah Tacke tripled to center. The next batter, Lindsey Preuss, ripped a RBI single to right to bring home Tacke and put the Cavaliers up 1-0.
The Tigers quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning, thanks to a two-run homer by Fudurich, who belted it over the right field fence.
UVa got one back in the top of the fifth to tie the game at two. Hurler Whitney Holstun reached first after being hit by a pitch. Javaras moved Holstun to second with a sac bunt. The next batter, leadoff hitter Meghan O’Leary, brought in Holstun from second after a RBI single that was ripped into right center.
But Towson again battled back to score three runs in the bottom of the fifth and took a 5-2 lead. The first two batters lead off with singles before being brought in after a triple to right by Nina Navarro. Navarro later scored on Aimee Rosa’s RBI single down the left field line.
The Cavaliers were again outhit, this time 8-6. Kelly Haller, Lauren McCaskey and Holstun each tallied singles in addition to Tacke’s triple and Preuss and O’Leary’s RBI singles.
Holstun threw four innings and allowed four runs on five hits. Rife again came on in relief to throw the final two stanzas and gave up one run on three hits.
Virginia played without starting shortstop Carly Winger, who was sidelined with an injury. Preuss filled in at short in game one while McCaskey got the call in game two.
The Cavaliers close out regular-season play this weekend at Boston College.
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Courtesy: Scott Wachter