Less than 24 hours after a dominating performance against Delaware State, No. 25 Virginia headed up to Farmville, Va., to partake in the Longwood Invitational. However, what was supposed to be a weekend full of softball quickly turned into just two games thanks to mother nature. Still, the Cavaliers (7-1, 0-0 ACC) were able to advance their winning streak seven, defeating both Longwood (1-7, 0-0 BSC) and Toledo (1-7, 0-0 MAC).
Valentine’s Day kicked off with a friendly neighborhood matchup against the Lancers. The two have met plenty of times, this one being quite the defensive showdown.
Though the top of the first inning did allude to it being that way. With one out, senior outfielder Kassidy Hudson walked, bringing junior infielder Macee Eaton to the plate. On a 2-2 count, Eaton singled to second base, then advanced to second on a wild throw. Runners now in scoring position, a groundout by junior infielder Bella Cabral easily brought Hudson in, making the score 1-0 — and that was it for the next five innings.
Although there were minimal strikeouts, the Cavaliers were simply not finding pockets for hits and popping-out. In fact, even through the fifth inning, the team only had three hits.
Virginia added its final run in the top of the seventh when Eaton homered down the right field line. Eaton went 3-for-4 on the day, now team-leading 10 RBIs on the year. As for Longwood, the team only had two hits, having several three up, three down innings thanks to the Cavalier bullpen.
“Our pitching staff was phenomenal,” Coach Joanna Hardin said. “They complimented each other very well, attacked the zone exceptionally and they’ve been doing that throughout fall and spring training. It’s rewarding to see that play out on the field.”
Junior pitcher Julia Cuozzo started on the mound for Virginia, putting in three solid innings of work with only one hit, one walk and four strikeouts. Senior pitcher Eden Bigham relieved her in the top of the fourth, also only allowing one hit, before senior pitcher Courtney Layne finished it out, all three giving up no runs.
After a couple hours of relishing in the 3-0 win, the Cavaliers took to the field again, this time to play Toledo.
Unlike their first game, the bats quickly came alive with senior infielder Jade Hylton sending her second home run of the season into left center. Just a few batters later, Cabral sent one the same direction, putting Virginia up 2-0 early.
The next few innings were followed by a series of hits and walks by the Cavaliers, but none resulted in runs. However, in the top of the fourth, Hylton extended the lead to 3-0 with a sacrifice fly to center field. On the other side of the ball, Layne continued to put work in, pitching 4.2 scoreless innings, striking out three and only allowing one hit.
By the time Virginia reached the seventh inning, it was clear that they were going to win — just not by how much. With runners on first and third, senior outfielder Kelsey Hackett smashed one into left field. Just two batters later, redshirt freshman catcher Reagan Hickey launched another one over the wall, tagging on another two runs and a nail in the coffin for Toledo.
“Offensively, we came out and opened things up in the seventh inning against Toledo,” Hardin said. “That’s what we’re capable of.”
The four home runs were the most in a single game this season, and the first time the Cavaliers have hit four home runs since their outing against Boston College in 2025. The game ended in a fly-out to Griffith, solidifying the 8-0 win.
Although Virginia was initially slated to play two more games against both the Rockets and the Lancers on Sunday, the rainy weather cut the weekend short. Still, the Cavaliers showed serious offensive promise in their final inning, a hopeful sign as they enter their next tournament.
Virginia returns action next weekend, hosting their first home tournament, the Mizuno Classic. Play is set to begin with a doubleheader against Maryland on Thursday at 3 p.m.
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