The Cavaliers beat the Liberty Flames twice in the doubleheader held yesterday at the Park. After winning the first game 4-1, the Cavaliers started the second game of the afternoon with a bang and didn't look back -- winning the second game 6-2.
The Cavaliers enjoyed a lot of success today, in large part because they were able to take advantage of their offensive opportunities.
"We took advantage of the things they were giving us," said Virginia coach Cheryl Sprangel.
Once runners were on base, the Cavaliers played small ball, stealing bases and bunting runners into scoring position, where some timely hitting put runs across.
"We came out more focused and were able to capitalize on different things," said Sprangel."We got things going with some bunts -- they didn't handle some good bunts."
Virginia struck in the first, tallying two runs off of Liberty starting pitcher Sarah Swor. Sophomore first baseman Brooke Sorber got the offense started with a hard groundball down the third baseline. After advancing to second on a passed ball and third on junior second baseman Sara Larquier's line drive to the left side, Sorber scored when senior Jenn Wynn pulled a fastball through the left side.
The Cavaliers weren't done, though, and got Larquier home when freshman short stop Lindsey Preuss dropped down a perfect suicide squeeze.
Larquire saw the ball well all day and added a triple and a run in the bottom of the third and a RBI double in the fourth.
"We finally got two wins we were supposed to have," Larquier said. "I think its definitely a confidence booster."
Liberty had a quick response in the top half of the second when lead-off hitter Jessica Moore hit a line drive into left field scoring Gertie Jefferies, who walked on four pitches.
The Cavaliers were quick to bounce back and never really relinquished control, as junior pitcher Erin Horn kept the Flames in check all afternoon.
Pitching all seven innings, Horn struck out 10 while only walking six. She surrendered two runs on three hits and let the offense take care of the rest.
Horn got some help defensively, with some especially good play from sophomore catcher Amy McKean in the top of the third, when she knocked the ball down to rob Liberty's Ashley Williams of a base hit.
The Cavaliers leave the friendly confines of The Park and head down to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina for three games this weekend. The Cavaliers will hope to continue their good play in the ACC in Saturday's double header.
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