The Virginia softball team plays host to Boston College this weekend as both teams open up their conference schedules.
After a relaxing Spring Break, Virginia (17-5) returned to what has become a routine, playing six games in the span of four days. The hustle and bustle of games has not mattered to the Cavaliers, though. They bring a 10-game winning streak into the weekend and have yet to lose at The Park this season.
With a quartet of impressive seniors, Virginia possesses excellent leadership that could help guide the team to success.
“We have had leadership from not just our seniors,” Schmidt said, “but also from our first-years and our second-years; we are a school of leaders. Our seniors and fifth-years have done a very good job of teaching our freshman and sophomores how it is going to be.”
Boston College (8-12), on the other hand, is a relatively young team with only three seniors on its roster. But Virginia should not take its opponent lightly, as the Eagles have proven that they are contenders in the ACC. As a team, BC hits for a 0.258 average and puts up almost four runs per game.
Pitching has helped complement Boston College’s modest offense. The pitching staff has a team ERA of 2.75 and averages nearly five strikeouts per game. For these reasons, Virginia cannot become complacent.
Both the Cavalier offense and defense have contributed to the team’s success. Virginia scored eight or more runs in seven of its last nine games and did not allow more than four runs in any game during that span. The pitching staff has helped the defense, too, with senior pitcher Karla Wilburn pitching 12 complete games and only surrendering 1.58 earned runs per game.
Coach Eileen Schmidt notes that improved mental preparation compared to last season has allowed Wilburn to excel.
“She sees a lot of innings,” Schmidt said. “She eats up a lot of innings, and when she is on her game, she keeps us in games. We can hit, so we don’t need a whole lot, and she has done a great job.”
Senior catcher Carly Winger works alongside Wilburn to create an impressive one-two combination.
“We just work really well together,” Winger said. “I have been calling the game for her, and she has done a good job of hitting her spots and keeping people off balance. We are always on the same page, and that helps us a lot.”
Senior outfielder Casey Steffan said she believes the team has used its non-conference games to make necessary adjustments before facing ACC opponents.
“We realize that this weekend will be a challenge,” Steffan said, adding that winning “gives us a boost, but it also reminds us that we have some work to do.”
But compared to previous years, this year’s team already has exceeded expectations. Virginia’s 17 wins so far top last year’s total — and the conference schedule is just beginning.
“The difference between last year and this year is just remarkable,” Winger said. “We are doing so much better. Our offense this year has really turned it around, and as long as we can keep putting up runs each game our defense will be able to hold it.”
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