Only a few dedicated fans shuffled into Radford’s stadium for a rainy Tuesday afternoon game. The game was not initially on the schedule for No. 20 Virginia, and was an opportunity to work out some kinks as they prepare to enter ACC play. The Cavaliers (20-1, 0-0 ACC) defeated the Highlanders (5-11, 0-0 BSC) 2-0 in what was a lackluster offensive display featuring defensive domination.
The game did not heat up until the top of the third inning, when senior infielder Jade Hylton singled, giving Virginia its second hit of the game. This brought up junior infielder Bella Cabral, Louisville Slugger/NFCA D1 Player of the Week — the first Cavalier in program history to earn this honor. She had six home runs last week. However, Cabral did not hit a home run this at bat, instead fouling a few pitches off before working a walk. Senior outfielder Kelsey Hackett knocked Hylton in with a base-hit to left-center field, giving Virginia the lead 1-0.
After holding Radford in the bottom of the third inning, freshman catcher Hannah Weismer led off the fourth, slamming one over the fence on a 3-2 count. Weismer’s fourth home run of the season brought the score to 2-0 Cavaliers, their last of the game.
Despite Radford’s bullpen walking a player nearly every inning, Virginia could not seem to get anything going. In fact, in both the fifth and sixth innings, the Cavaliers had runners on second and third with no outs and could not manufacture anything out of it. Although wasting opportunities like this would normally have consequences, the stellar pitching of seniors Eden Bigham and Courtney Layne held the Highlander hitters off, the two pitchers only allowing three hits and striking out nine.
“The pitching staff has been throwing phenomenally,” Coach Joanna Hardin said. “That’s been a huge piece to our success.”
Though the team is on an impressive 20-game winning streak, it will be interesting to see how their talent translates against more worthy opponents. The Cavaliers have faced only a handful of big-name programs in their season opening stretch — when it comes to the ACC, Virginia will be faced with several impressive teams that will challenge what they have built to this point.
The Cavaliers will head down to Chapel Hill, N.C. this weekend to open conference play against North Carolina. Although the Tar Heels are unranked, the team is still 17-1, their only loss being to Boston College. For Virginia, the series represents more than just another conference test. It’s an opportunity to make a statement.
Even though the Cavaliers did not have a stellar offensive performance yesterday, throughout the season they have been able to lean into disciplined at-bats and a patience at the plate, resulting in timely hitting. Virginia has also shown the ability to extend innings by working deep counts and forcing opposing pitchers into high-stress situations — if the Cavaliers wish to beat North Carolina, they must show up like this.
The Tar Heels, playing at home, presents a balanced challenge, even though their only loss is in fact a home matchup. North Carolina has traditionally been strong defensively and opportunistic at the plate, particularly in situational hitting. Home-field advantage is often a factor in conference matchups, making early innings especially important as Virginia aims to establish themselves. As if tensions were not already high enough, this matchup will also be the first meeting the team has with former Cavalier MC Eaton, a once key player for them who transferred to North Carolina for her senior year.
If Virginia was to go into Chapel Hill and sweep the Tar Heels, then they would build upon their already impressive resume, with the conference rival joining No. 9 Arkansas and Michigan as signature victories for the Cavaliers.
The first pitch is set for 6 p.m. Friday, followed by afternoon games slated for Saturday and Sunday.
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