Start from 2-1 Series win over North Carolina State University Last weekend, the Virginia softball team returned to Palmer Park on Tuesday to take on rival Virginia Tech in the first Commonwealth Clash game of the year. The Cavaliers (28-14, 11-8 ACC) lost 6-0 to the Hokies (32-9-1, 15-4 ACC), who were on a five-game winning streak.
After a scoreless first inning, the first batter of the second inning, Virginia Tech junior utility player Cori McMillan, stepped up to the plate and hit a solo home run into the right field seats that Virginia Tech was unable to defend, ending the game. started. . This move allowed the Hokies to score points throughout the inning while the Cavaliers were held scoreless. The 77th matchup between Virginia and Virginia Tech (the Cavaliers have won only 24 of them) goes into the bottom of the third inning down 4-0, and Virginia is already in an uncomfortable position.
The Hokies continued to swing their bats in the top of the third inning, with junior utility player Bre Peck and senior infielder Cameron Fagan each crossing home plate to make the score 6-0.
The Cavaliers' drought continued for the rest of the game. Virginia Tech junior pitcher Emma Lemley gave up only two hits and two walks in seven innings, but Virginia couldn't take advantage of players rarely getting on base.
The Cavaliers' pitching duo struggled to control the Hokies, and senior pitcher Mikayla Fuge pitched just one inning, giving up two hits and three runs before being replaced by senior pitcher Madison Harris. Harris pitched in the remaining games, but had seven hits and three RBIs. Virginia clearly needed sophomore pitcher Eden Bigham. Bigham was named the ACC Pitcher of the Week earlier in the day following a two-game complete game victory over North Carolina State over the weekend. Bigham still needed some rest after Sunday's performance.
Tuesday's game continued to prove that the Cavaliers need to refine their performance if they want to challenge for the ACC Championship. skills at bat. Virginia pitched better than he showed Tuesday night, but his team's hitting skills were mediocre at best. The Cavaliers will need to make some significant changes if they want to be successful for the rest of the season and into the ACC Tournament.
The crushing loss to Virginia was a boon to the Hokies' softball season and overall Commonwealth Clash standings. Virginia Tech earned 0.5 points toward an 11-point goal to win the year-long competition between the two schools. The Cavaliers still lead the Hokies by 6.5 points by 9 points.
The University of Virginia begins a series of road games this weekend in Durham, North Carolina, before heading off to a three-game series against No. 3 Duke University. The opening game is scheduled to begin Friday at 6 p.m. The Cavaliers are also scheduled to face the Hokies again in the second and final Commonwealth Clash softball game of the season in Blacksburg on Tuesday at 7 p.m. All of these games will be available to stream on ACCNX or ACCN.
