Virginia softball’s early-season heartbreak finally turned into triumph. MC Eaton launched a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the Cavaliers past No. 4 UCLA 7-6 on Sunday at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational.
Walk it off Hoos!
— Virginia Softball (@UVASoftball)
MC Eaton with the two-run shot to lift the Hoos over No. 4 UCLA! |
The Cavs (5-5) have endured a wild start to the season, with four of their losses so far coming by one run to SEC opponents — including two in extra innings. One of those was an eight-inning battle against No. 5 Texas A&M on Saturday in the same Clearwater Invitational. But this time, Virginia was on the winning side of a late-inning battle.
Virginia jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first two innings, fueled by Eaton’s two-RBI triple and a squeeze bunt from Kelly Ayer. UCLA (9-1) stormed back with four runs in the third, capped by a three-run homer from Seneca Curo, and took the lead in the fourth behind RBI singles from Jordan Woolery and Kaniya Bragg.
🏝️ CLEARWATER INVITATIONAL: Full tournament schedule and scores
Savanah Henley stopped the bleeding from there, tossing 4.1 innings in relief and allowing just two runs to keep Virginia within striking distance.
Jade Hylton delivers the second 2RBI triple of the day for the Hoos to double the lead on UCLA here in Clearwater.
— Virginia Softball (@UVASoftball)
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In the seventh, Sarah Coon worked a one-out walk, setting up Eaton’s heroics. Down 0-2 in the count against Kaitlyn Terry, Eaton fouled off multiple pitches before crushing a deep shot to left to clinch Virginia’s first win over UCLA in program history.
The Cavs return home next week for the Mizuno Classic, opening against Delaware on Thursday afternoon.
