After dropping a West Coast series to No. 17 Stanford, Virginia returned home Wednesday evening to close out the regular season versus Liberty. The Cavaliers (36-16, 14-10 ACC) were in need of a win to close out the regular season, and they got the job done, putting on a show at Palmer Park in a comeback 5-3 win.
After a line-drive single, the Flames (41-11, 20-3 CUSA) got on the board in the top of the first due to a pair of wild pitches from junior pitcher Eden Bigham, bringing around one run. Liberty built on their lead in the top of the next inning, scoring one off of a poorly played rundown that ended with senior utility player Sarah Coon sailing one over sophomore infielder Macee Eaton’s head.
However, Virginia bounced back in the bottom of the second thanks to a solo shot by junior utility player M.C. Eaton, hitting the top of the scoreboard and making the score 2-1. But with the opportunity to add more, the Cavaliers fell victim to a perfectly played rundown by the Flames defense, instantly sapping their momentum.
Heading into the top of the third, the game became a story of whether or not Bigham could settle in on the mound — that inning did not make it seem like she would. The defense tried to bail Bigham out, executing yet another rundown to prevent a run, but their luck ran out when another run scored thanks to another rundown.
Now down 3-1, it was time for the Cavaliers to get the wheels turning. M.C. Eaton started the rally, fouling off nine pitches to force a walk. She was then advanced on a single by junior outfielder Kelsey Hackett, setting up a timely double by senior outfielder Kailyn Jones to score both of them and tie the game.
With a now-frazzled defense, Liberty made a pitching change but was unable to shut down the Virginia hitters as junior infielder Jade Hylton hit a go-ahead two-run homer, her 17th of the season and another addition to the all-time record.
“I’m my best hitting self when I’m just aggressive and attacking good pitches,” Hylton said. “I’m glad we were able to bounce back and pick up a win. That’s a big game for us.”
After a hard fight, Virginia was able to squeeze out the 5-3 win. Although Bigham did not have her best game to date, giving up two runs and committing a costly error, she eventually found her groove and the strike zone when it counted. Collectively, her defense was able to pull it together and the offense came alive at the right time.
“The response was exactly what we needed,” Coach Joanna Hardin said. “I thought Eden threw exceptionally well and gave us a chance. We know that she gives us a chance every time she's out there.”
Beating the Flames will most likely solidify the Cavaliers’ seventh-place finish in the ACC, a conference loaded with big-name competitors. Even though their finish is worse than last year’s fifth place, it is important to remember that No. 25 Stanford was added to the conference and teams such as North Carolina improved significantly, shifting the balance in the ACC.
Going into the ACC Tournament, Virginia needed a win like this. Liberty, a tough, once-ranked team, gave the Cavaliers a run for their money, something many other opponents will do throughout the tournament. Moving ahead, it is important that Virginia remembers games like this one and the grit it showed — in the postseason, grit can make all the difference. The Cavaliers will receive their seed for the ACC Tournament in the coming days, and the first round begins Wednesday.
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