The Virginia softball team pounded George Washington University yesterday throughout the five played innings, winning 8-0.
In the last game of the Cavalier Fall Classic, the Cavaliers pulled ahead by three against the Colonials in the first inning. The last two innings of the game were forfeited according to a mercy rule.
The Cavaliers have had success so far in their fall season, having won seven of their eight games in the past two weekends. Virginia suffered its only loss Saturday at the hands of Radford University. Despite their success, the Cavaliers remain reluctant to give too much praise to their performance.
These past two weekends "didn't exceed my expectations," senior leftfielder Lauren Dennis said. "I think we could have obviously beat Radford. But we beat Penn State 7-2 and that was awesome, and we played well today. But, of course, there is always room for improvement."
For the Cavaliers, the fall season centers around continuous improvement. The three fall tournaments, the last of which will be played next weekend at Virginia Tech, are an opportunity to see new players in a game situation for the first time and allow them to adjust to collegiate softball.
"It is really purely to get to see the first years and see everybody," Virginia coach Cheryl Sprangel said. "Its just a chance to get out and play."
So far, team members say they are confident the freshmen will be an integral part of the team come spring.
"They're going to help us out a lot this year," Dennis said. "They're adjusting right now, but they're going to help us fill in the holes and be a stronger team.
Dennis also said that fall practices give the team an opportunity to adjust to new players and new situations as well as work out as many kinks as possible.
"You work on fundamentals -- all the little things that you need to get ready," Dennis said of fall practices. "Especially working together as a team and feeling out the new first years and figuring out how we play together."
The Cavaliers ended last year's season 38-25, leaving room for improvement in 2005.
"I am really pleased [with this year's lineup],"Sprangel said. "There is a lot of talent there, the ability is there. Now it's just learning the system."
With only four fall games remaining, Virginia has a limited time to work through adjustments in a game situation. However, if the Cavaliers continue to have the success they have enjoyed the past two weekends, they will have gotten the 2005 season off to a very good start.
Read More
'The Måns Dahlberg show' is kicking into gear, just in time for Virginia’s title chase
By Thomas Baxter | 15 hours agoHe's one man during the first few months of the season, quite another in the final two.
TILOCK: The real Virginia baseball just stood up
By Xander Tilock | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers' chronic issues are dwindling, and underperforming stars are ascending.
Dietrich’s comeback clincher sends No. 7 seed men’s tennis to NCAA quarterfinals
By Margaret Piatos | 2 days agoFor the 18th time in 20 years, Virginia is headed to the quarterfinals.
