As sports seasons enter their final stretches, teams strive for strong finishes and impressive records. Every game becomes increasingly important. With less than two weeks remaining before the ACC tournament, the Virginia softball team (41-13) realizes it cannot take any match lightly, including today's doubleheader against less talented Elon (12-29) at 3 p.m. at the Park.
The Cavaliers bring the momentum of a four-game winning streak to today's competition with the Phoenix. Virginia tallied two victories on Saturday over Georgia Tech and another two against Liberty yesterday, 8-4 and 6-2. The first victory over Liberty gave Virginia coach Cheryl Sprangel her 600th career win.
Elon, on the other hand, comes to Charlottesville mired in a six-game losing streak that includes recent losses to Liberty.
Two wins over the Phoenix would not only improve the Cavaliers' record but also would provide Virginia with confidence for its upcoming matches against ACC opponents Maryland and Florida State.
Still, Sprangel recognizes that the Cavaliers can ill-afford to look past Elon.
"With every game, it's important that you don't overlook anybody and make sure you take care of yourself and play your own game," Sprangel said. "It doesn't matter what team we're up against. We have to make sure we execute and hit the ball."
One important component of the team will be missing today. Kristen Dennis, the Cavaliers' star junior pitcher and their offensive powerhouse, suffered an injury in last Thursday's match against East Carolina. Dennis leads the team in the batter's box, where she has a .394 batting average, and from the mound with a 1.16 ERA.
Though Dennis's absence changes the team dynamic, Sprangel believes Virginia should respond positively against Elon.
"Our team, despite not having Kristen, is in good shape," Sprangel said. "We're playing very good ball and other people, including our pitchers, are stepping up and taking more responsibility. Because of that, we're confident about the games against Elon. We really should keep our winning streak going. We just need to take care of ourselves, execute and hit at the right times."
In addition to extending their winning streak to six, the Cavaliers hope to use players who don't see much playing time in today's doubleheader. Virginia also can focus on fundamentals.
"I think a lot of people who don't get to play will get a chance to get some at-bats," said senior Meaghan Young, a right fielder and tri-captain. "It's also a time to work on basic defensive plays. And on offense, we can focus on timing and hitting the ball hard. We can also try out a few plays that we might not attempt against tougher competition."
Virginia was able to take a similar approach in yesterday's games against Liberty. After beating the Lady Flames, 9-0 and 2-1, in the Who's Hoo Tournament on March 23, Virginia easily handled Liberty again behind the savvy offense of Young, the leadoff hitter. She registered four hits, one RBI and one run in the yesterday's doubleheader. Freshman pitcher Joanna Barstad (10-1) tossed two complete games for Virginia with eight strikeouts.
Against Elon, the Cavaliers plan to start Sprangel on her way to the next big mark: 700 wins.
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