2024-04-18 01:40:19
Coming up on a 2-1 series win over NC State Last weekend, Virginia softball returned to Palmer Park on Tuesday to take on rival Virginia Tech for its first Commonwealth Clash of the year. The Cavaliers (28-14, 11-8 ACC) were shut out by the Hokies (32-9-1, 15-4 ACC) — who were riding a five-game winning streak — in a 6-0 loss.
After a scoreless first inning, the first batter of the second inning – Virginia Tech junior utility Cori McMillan – stepped to the plate to kick off the game’s action by blasting a solo home run to right field that Virginia could not defend. . That move set the Hokies up to keep pouring out runs over the inning while the Cavaliers remained scoreless. Down 4-0 in the third inning, the 77th game between Virginia and Virginia Tech — of which the Cavaliers have won only 24 — already saw Virginia in an awkward position.
The Hokies stayed hot with the bat in the top of the third inning as junior utility player Bre Peck and senior infielder Cameron Fagan each homered to make it 6-0.
The Cavaliers’ drought continued for the rest of the game — Virginia Tech junior pitcher Emma Lemley gave up just two hits and two walks over seven innings — and Virginia couldn’t capitalize when its players rarely reached base.
The Cavaliers’ pitching duo struggled to keep the Hokies under control, as senior pitcher Mikayla Houge only got through one inning — allowing two hits and three runs — before being replaced by senior pitcher Madison Harris. While Harris pitched the rest of the game, she was tagged for seven hits and three runs. Virginia clearly has a need for sophomore pitcher Eden Bigham, who earlier in the day was named the ACC Pitcher of the Week after her pair of complete game victories against NC State over the weekend. Bigham still needed rest after the latter of these performances on Sunday.
Tuesday’s game continued to prove that if the Cavaliers want a shot at the ACC Championship, they will need to hone their skills on the board. Virginia has better pitching than it displayed Tuesday night, but the team’s hitting skills were mediocre at best. If they hope to be successful for the rest of their season and in the ACC Tournament, the Cavaliers will need to make significant changes.
Virginia’s tough loss benefited the Hokies in their softball season and in the overall Commonwealth Clash standings – Virginia Tech edged 0.5 points short of their goal of 11 to win the year-long rivalry between the schools. The Cavaliers are currently still ahead with 9 points over the Hokies’ 6.5.
Virginia will begin a series of road games this weekend in Durham, NC as they begin a three-game series against No. 3 Duke travels. The opening game will start at 18:00 on Friday. The Cavaliers will also face the Hokies in Blacksburg on Tuesday at 7:00 PM for the second and final Commonwealth Clash softball game of the season. All of these games will be available for streaming on ACCNX or ACCN.
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