Two days off evidently had Virginia well-rested after two extra-inning affairs last weekend — the Cavaliers (23-2, 2-1 ACC) shutout Hampton in their return to Palmer Park, winning 10-0 in five innings. All 10 runs came in the first inning, an offensive explosion reminiscent of their 20-run drubbing of Delaware State earlier this season.
The Cavaliers did not score across the next four innings, but there was not much need for additional scoring — freshman Taylor Smith and senior Eden Bigham combined for a shutout of the Pirates (5-14, 0-3 CAA), only allowing one hit and walking one batter each. Smith, in particular, shined in the circle, striking out seven — a career high — in only 3.0 innings pitched. She picked up her fourth win of the season, adding to her undefeated record. The pair’s performances today — Bigham tossed three strikeouts — brought them into a tie for second on the team in strikeouts, with her and Bigham’s totals rising to 42, passing junior Julia Cuozzo.
Junior infielder Macee Eaton and senior outfielder Kassidy Hudson also starred in Virginia’s dominant victory, with the pair combining to account for half of their team’s total runs. Hudson opened up scoring with an RBI single to bring senior infielder Jade Hylton home, and Eaton kept it going with an RBI double, bringing Hudson home.
After a trip through the entire order and five runs later, the pair closed the scoring with a Hudson RBI double and an Eaton two-run homer. Eaton’s strong outing moves her into a tie with fellow junior infielder Bella Cabral for the team home run lead — both juniors are top five in the conference for the category. Hudson, meanwhile, is now fifth on the team in RBIs.
Despite experiencing their first loss since the beginning of the season last weekend, the Cavaliers appear to have not lost a step.
“It’s great to be at home,” Coach Joanna Hardin said postgame. “We love playing at Palmer Park and we look forward to seeing our fans at the ballpark on a beautiful weekend for a big series against Georgia Tech.”
Earlier this week, the NCAA released the first Rating Percentage Index rankings of the season. RPI is calculated with a formula taking into account winning percentage, opponent winning percentage and the winning percentage of opponents’ opponents. Essentially, the stat is intended to compare teams according to both record and strength of schedule — the Cavaliers are currently ranked 21st.
Ahead of Virginia’s second conference series, a homestand against Georgia Tech, RPI reveals a matchup tougher than it appears at first glance. The Yellow Jackets (16-11, 4-2 ACC) swept their first ACC series against Notre Dame and managed to pick up one win on the road against Clemson — ranked 19th in RPI. Even with double-digit losses, Georgia Tech itself ranks 27th in RPI.
Boasting an offense led by sophomore outfielder Alyssa Willer — who ranks within the top 10 for both home runs and RBIs in the conference — and a pitching room featuring senior Kenley Hilleary, who has only allowed one home run in over 27 innings pitched, the Yellow Jackets will certainly provide a challenge.
The Cavaliers have the recent advantage, having won two in a row against their upcoming opponent, but have lost 11 of the last 15 meetings, holding a 46-55 losing record in the all-time series. The first pitch of the series is set for 5 p.m. Friday at Palmer Park.
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