UVA Softball: ‘Hoos rally for 2-1 mid-week win over Liberty, to improve to 28-3

Did you have UVA Softball starting 28-3 this season? Folks, we’ve got us a College World Series contender.

It would be a disappointment if they’re not hosting a Regional and Super Regional, at the least, at this point.

The ’Hoos, ranked as high as 12th nationally this week, scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to rally from a 1-0 deficit, on the way to a 2-1 mid-week win over Liberty on Wednesday at Palmer Park.

A towering home run by Liberty’s Savannah Jessee put the Flames (14-16) on top, 1-0, in the fourth.

With one down in the sixth, Bella Cabral worked a walk, and a single from Kelsey Hackett put two runners on.

Alex Call then dropped a single into left center that escaped the grasp of a diving left fielder, allowing Cabral to score from second, while Call and Hackett moved to second and third, respectively.

Hannah Weismer put the ’Hoos on top with a sac fly to left that scored Hackett as Virginia grabbed the 2-1 victory.

Eden Bigham (10-0) picked up the win in relief, allowing one hit with two walks and three strikeouts across the final 1.2 innings.

The Cavalier pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts on the night, with starter Courtney Layne striking out five across the first 4.1 innings, and Taylor Smith striking out two as she bridged the fifth and into the sixth.

Up next: Virginia continues to play at home this weekend with a three-game series against Pitt (17-13).

The series gets underway on Friday at 6 p.m.