Virginia travels to Chattanooga today for the Panera Bread Challenge 2006. They are scheduled for three doubleheaders -- six games Friday through Sunday against Miami of Ohio, Bowling Green, Alabama at Birmingham, Chattanooga, East Tennessee State and Maine.
Coach Karen Johns is expecting a challenge from Miami, in particular.
"Miami is really swinging the bats well," she said. "They have a bunch of homeruns and a lot of speed. They haven't held opponents down, but they have scored a lot of runs."
The Cavaliers, who managed only nine hits in two games last weekend, will need a great deal of offensive firepower to keep up with Miami. The pitching staff must continue to keep the score low and hope the offense can find a spark for the Cavaliers to be successful this weekend.
The team is hoping to continue the winning streak they started last weekend.
"We're excited to get back out there and continue to implement what we've been doing," junior catcher Michelle Salmiery said.
The Cavaliers are coming off their season-opening series at Chapel Hill, N.C. where they went 2-0. In a victory over Akron, Salmiery hit a key homerun in the seventh inning.
"It's exciting," Salmiery said of the homerun. "Luckily I was able to make something happen. It's early in the season, so the team needs to know to always put pressure on the other team."
Rounding out the weekend, Salmiery finished three-for-four with three RBI and two runs scored.
"She really came through with a big clutch home run," Johns said. "She was one of the few we saw some consistency from at the plate. She's one of our most improved players and we're pleased with her efforts."
Satisfied with the wins, Johns emphasized the need to develop the team's abilities in all facets of the game.
"Obviously we did enough to win," Johns said. "Our defense was solid, and we had moments of good pitching. But we did not perform as well as I expected offensively."
With only four and five hits in the two games, respectively, the Cavaliers will have to take their hitting to the next level.
Johns did emphasize the unity the team displayed this past weekend. "We stuck together as a team," Johns said. "They were two good team wins. "We beat a good team in Akron, and that was a nice win for us."
Due to inclement weather, the Cavaliers were only able to play two of the scheduled five games at the Triangle Classic.
"There was a feeling of disappointment from everyone," Salmiery said. "We wanted to come out 5-0. Everyone wanted to put their tools to work, and we weren't able to do that."
Going into last weekend's series, Johns was looking to finalize the pitching rotation for the team. Though satisfied with what she saw, Johns will look for more development in the coming games.
Due to injuries, senior captain Erin Horn moved from the pitching mound for the first time in her collegiate career, taking left field.
"She played remarkably well," Johns said.
Horn will look to retake the rubber for a few innings this weekend.
There is undoubtedly a positive atmosphere around the Cavaliers. Looking to stay undefeated this weekend, the team is focusing on its improvements and other positives.
"At the beginning of the season, we had a team of good players," Salmiery said. "Now we're learning to put all of our talent together."
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