The Virginia softball team will travel to Tallahassee, Fla. to take on ACC rival Florida State this weekend. The Cavaliers (33-20, 3-3 ACC) look to retaliate after last year's losses to the Seminoles, when Florida State (39-9, 4-0) swept a double-header by scores of 4-0 and 6-3.
The 13th ranked Seminoles look to be a formidable opponent this 2003 season as well. They swept two contests against in-state rival, No. 22 University of Florida, Wednesday night by scores of 5-0 and 7-3. Clinching these victories has extended Florida State's current win streak to 20 games --at this time the nation's longest.
The Seminoles have been riding strong behind the dominating pitching of National Player of the Year finalist Jessica van der Linden. The junior earned her ninth straight win after pitching seven innings against the Gators despite battling flu-like symptoms.
Virginia, however, hopes to go into this week's double-header with the same momentum and composure that has marked their recent play. The Cavaliers have won five straight games, and seven out of their last eight.
"I think at this point right now in our play, we're reaching out peak," senior outfielder Katie Weinberg said. "Our pitchers are doing well, our offense is on, and we're just kind of coming together as a team. It's a good time to compete."
In Wednesday's double-header, Virginia demonstrated controlling play when they faced James Madison University in Harrisonburg. The Cavaliers pounded out 20 hits and scored 20 runs while registering 8-3 and 12-3 victories. Junior shortstop Heather Field drove in five runs with three hits and also scored three runs in the two-game sweep. First-year pitcher Christina Grimm picked up the first game's win with a complete-game effort, and she improved to 13-5 on the season. Third-year pitcher Joanna Barstad improved to 7-5 with the victory in the second game.
Virginia has been playing well throughout the year, yet with the end of the regular season nearing, the Cavaliers must maintain composure.
"We have the biggest part of our season coming up. And this is where, for the last couple of seasons, we have kind of fallen off as a team in play," Weinberg said. "We're really looking to change that this year, step it up."
With contests against Troy State (35-20) and Virginia Tech (17-25) following the games at Florida State, Virginia faces a difficult final stretch, but the team remains positive. The senior Cavaliers want to end their collegiate careers on a good note.
"I'm very optimistic about the rest of the season, even though we started off kind of slow," senior third baseman Ruby Rojas said. "I think now we're reaching our good peak. It's now when it matters, it's the end that matters. We want to finish good. Just lay it out 110 percent and have no regrets."
Rojas is not the only senior who said she wants to go out in winning style.
"As fourth years, we just want to go out with a bang and leave it all on the field," senior left fielder Johanna Kaiser said.
Saturday's games will start at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Seminole Softball Complex. The games will be televised by Florida's Sunshine Network.
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