The Virginia softball team won three of five games this past weekend at the Cathedral City Classic in Palm Springs, Calif.
The Cavaliers (9-5) earned two wins Thursday - a 9-3 romp against BYU and a close 4-2 decision against Utah. Against BYU (7-8), Virginia trailed by a score of 3-1, but in the bottom of the fifth the Cavaliers compiled eight runs on four hits to take a 9-3 lead, highlighted by a three-RBI double by sophomore catcher Kristen Hawkins.
Despite being outhit 8-2 against Utah, Virginia emerged victorious after scoring four runs in a wild fourth inning full of hit batters, errors and wild pitches. Virginia failed to hold a 1-0 lead during its lone Friday game against Fresno State and allowed four runs during the final two innings of a 4-1 loss.
The Cavaliers split their two challenging games Saturday. Virginia came from behind to upset No. 11-ranked Hawaii by scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 6-4 win. Sophomore pitcher Melanie Mitchell struck out nine batters while recording her ninth complete game of the season. The Cavaliers concluded the tournament with a 9-3 loss to top-ranked Arizona.
Virginia travels to Walt Disney World next weekend for the ESPN Rise Tournament in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
-compiled by Ben Baskin