For four weeks, No. 21 Virginia weathered punches thrown in the ring. The ACC threw haymakers, and the Cavaliers (32-6, 9-5 ACC) kept getting back up, winning all of their first four conference series. Then Virginia arrived in Durham April 2, and left with their first series loss of the season and the lingering pain of having been swept. Now sitting at 9-5 in conference play, Coach Joanna Hardin’s squad is set to face No. 12 Virginia Tech Friday at Palmer Park not just looking for a win, but searching for the version of itself that successfully fought through those first four conference series.
"Getting punched doesn't knock us out," Hardin said following the final loss in the Duke series. "We'll get back up and back at it next week."
On the offensive side, the Cavaliers converted just 2-of-15 with runners in scoring position in the first and third games, and 3-of-8 in the second — their most efficient of the three. In two of the games, Virginia tallied more hits than No. 16 Duke but still lost, unable to deliver when it mattered most.
The pitching staff also struggled, surrendering multiple crucial extra-base hits and runs when going the distance. Each time the Cavaliers built offensive momentum, the Blue Devils (29-11, 13-2 ACC) answered with runs of their own, killing any chance of a rally. Interestingly, the Hokies (34-5, 9-3 ACC) had similar results against Duke, losing the series, but taking the final game in a 10-2 victory. In their most recent series, they went 2-1 against Clemson, with one win ending via mercy rule.
The core issue in Duke’s sweep of the Cavaliers was a lack of synchronization between offense and defense on the part of the losing program. When pitchers held opposing batters in check, the Virginia offense failed to provide support. When hitters sparked momentum, the pitching ceded it right back to Duke. Previously this year, the offense and defense of the Cavaliers have supported each other, and it’s safe to say they have had success.
"I mean, gosh, [the hitters] helped me relax," senior pitcher Eden Bigham said after a win in the Mizuno Classic. "There's a whole different approach when you're pitching with a one-run lead versus, like, four."
Both sides playing in-sync alleviates pressure across the board and makes the game easier to play cleanly. In a rivalry matchup where Virginia holds a 25-56 all-time record, more incongruency between offensive and defensive performance will be the difference between a series win or sweep.
Virginia will host the Commonwealth Clash in their own corner — rather than traveling to Blacksburg as they did last year — and are seeking their first series win since 2011. In pursuit of that goal, the Cavaliers will look to move beyond the frustrations they experienced against the Blue Devils.
In a rivalry series, nearly every game will carry that same high-stakes intensity and Virginia will need to rise to those occasions again. Virginia has shown it can get both sides clicking and fight to tough victories — and when it does, the team is difficult to stop, even for Virginia Tech.
The Cavaliers have also demonstrated an iron chin while on the ropes. In the final two innings of every Duke game, they found ways to keep things competitive. Redshirt freshman catcher Reagan Hickey homered in the sixth inning of the first game to cut the lead to two. In the second game, junior infielder Macee Eaton would hit an RBI double in the seventh to pull Virginia within one. In the final game, the Cavaliers loaded the bases and manufactured a hit, but could not make a dent in the deficit.
Virginia Tech will also bring its best into the ring. The Cavaliers will likely see sophomore pitcher Bree Carrico multiple times — she has yet to record a loss in any of her appearances. And the Hokie lineup is equally formidable, with nine players boasting 20 or more at-bats and a batting average above .300.
The Commonwealth Clash will not be decided by talent alone — both rosters have proven they can compete at a high level. Whether this team, still shaking off the sting of a Duke sweep and playing at home with something to prove, can find that version of itself when it needs it most remains to be seen. However, if this season has shown anything, it is that this team is not done punching back. The series will be hosted at Virginia’s very own Palmer Park, with the first pitch scheduled for Friday, April 10, at 6 p.m.
Read More
No. 3 Virginia caps off regular season with stylish win over rival Virginia Tech
By Noah Cinel | 2 hours agoThe ACC Championships will run from April 15 to 19 in Cary, N.C.
@hill4hoos is Virginia's budding elementary analyst
By Eleanor Lynch | 4 hours agoThe origin of @hill4hoos began just a few months ago, during the large snowstorm that hit Virginia. Trapped inside with nothing but time on his hands, he hit record.
Paul Chang vanquishes field to lead Cavalier charge in Calusa Cup
By Sofie Keppler | 14 hours agoAs the ACC and NCAA tournaments draw near, No. 2 Virginia continues to showcase a level of depth, precision and morale that signals a team reaching a new echelon. With consistent lineups and multiple players capable of carding exceptional lows, this team has all the pieces to go the distance.
