Despite a late surge for the championship, the Virginia softball team fell to Penn State yesterday, earning second place in the 2003 Hoo's Who tournament, held at The Park this weekend.
The Cavaliers defeated Robert Morris University Friday as well James Madison and Penn State Saturday to capture the tournament's top seed after round-robin play, but the second time was a charm for the Nittany Lions, who defeated JMU Sunday morning to set up the title game rematch with Virginia.
The Cavaliers played on familiar turf, but without home-field advantage, as Penn State won what would turn out to be a crucial coin toss to open the game.
Virginia made the most of their faux visitor status, jumping out to a 1-0 lead after freshman infielder Sara Larqiuer's RBI single in the top of the first inning. Yet the Lions roared back, answering with two unearned runs in their half of the first.
Penn State next lit up the scoreboard in the third inning, when the tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player -- senior Kelley Galigher -- crossed the plate to put the Nittany Lions up, 3-1.
In a manner atypical of a team that had 14 hits in a single game Saturday, Penn State manufactured their runs off Virginia's freshman pitcher, Christina Grimm, by capitalizing on Cavalier errors and utilizing the bunt throughout the game.
"Penn State is a good offensive team, and Christina shut them down," Cavalier coach Cheryl Sprangel said.
Grimm had a breakout weekend, pitching over 20 innings, earning two of Virginia's three wins and improving her record to 6-4 on the season.
"I was getting back to being the kind of pitcher I want to be," Grimm said. "I was just trying to throw really hard."
The freshman hurler had some help from her teammates in the top of the sixth inning, when the Cavaliers posted an offensive barrage reminiscent of their 10-1 drubbing of Robert Morris on Friday.
Junior shortstop Heather Field led off the inning with a walk issued by Penn State pitcher Tina Skelly, and came around the horn to score on Larquier's second RBI single, setting the stage for history to repeat itself as junior first baseman Hannah Owings stepped to the plate. Owings' two-RBI double on Saturday sparked the rally that catapulted the Cavaliers over the Nittany Lions in their first meeting, and the junior did not disappoint on Sunday. The 315 fans who packed the grandstand erupted into cheers as she drove a single into left field, bringing home senior third baseman Ruby Rojas to tie the score at three.
Penn State did not threaten in the bottom of the sixth, and Virginia's bats were similarly silent in their half of the seventh and final inning. The Cavalier defense held in the bottom of the seventh inning, earning two quick outs but allowed one baserunner too many. Galigher ripped a double to the left side, scoring Nuxoll to capture the tournament title.
Virginia was dejected but not downtrodden after the loss, with players and coaches alike noting the team's improvement since the season began.
"Everyone's always disappointed when you lose, but today things kind of came together," Field said.
The Cavaliers will conclude their two-week home stand with a doubleheader against UNC-Greensboro Tuesday. Games will be played at The Park at 2 and 3:30 p.m.
Read More
Live tracker: the men’s basketball offseason
By Michael Liebermann , Emory Huffman and Xander Tilock | 8 hours agoA frenetic offseason likely awaits.
Together, the rookies of the past became the champions of the present
By Xander Tilock | YesterdayVirginia's championship coaches often collaborate.
Matt Ganyard, resilient Renaissance man, has seen it all
By Theo Moll | 4 days agoFrom undergrad, to the Marines, to Darden and Virginia football, Matt Ganyard has surely been one of the most unique alumni in Virginia football history.
