Virginia softball was unable to buck its losing ways at the Mary Nutter Classic, winning only one of the weekend’s five games despite showing more life at the plate.
The Cavaliers (2-11) dropped their opener against BYU (6-9), who went 9-0 in five innings. Cougars freshman McKenna Bull shut Virginia down at the plate, allowing only two hits while striking out six in the complete game shutout. Sophomore Aimee Chapdelaine (2-10) took the loss, due in part to five unearned runs.
Virginia’s hitting showed up in game two with a 6-5 victory against Pacific. The Tigers (3-8) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first, but the Cavaliers chipped away at the margin with two-run innings in the first and second, aided by a two run double by freshman Katie Park in the bottom of the first.
Oregon State (5-11) easily handled Virginia in game three, winning 9-1 in five innings. The Cavaliers sole run was scored by junior Heidi Velk, who crossed the plate from second on a single by freshman Madison Labshere. Chapdelaine was responsible for all nine of the Beavers’ runs.
Game four against Fresno State provided a heartbreaking loss for Virginia, which this time presented a back-and-forth contest with plenty of scoring. The Bulldogs (10-5) sprinted out of the gate, taking a 7-1 lead after two innings, but the Cavaliers countered with a seven-run third inning to claim the lead. Fresno State quickly regained the lead in the fourth, but a two-run homer by Labshere gave Virginia the 10-9 edge. With the score tied in the bottom of the seventh, senior Brooke Ortiz ended the game with a walk-off two-out single.
Virginia was also unable to offer a response to No. 6 Oregon, falling 12-3 in six innings. Senior Stephanie Harris cranked a two-run shot in the sixth to account for most of Virginia’s scoring.
The Cavaliers open ACC play Saturday on the road against North Carolina State.
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