If Virginia’s season ends here, though, it will likely have little effect on how its historic run will be remembered. The Cavaliers have nothing to lose — and everything to gain. A program that went 5-22 four seasons ago is now one game away from the Elite Eight.
With the days of back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2019 and 2021 now far in the rearview, after four bumpy losses, Virginia looks to claw back into conference contention
Virginia’s defense proved worthy of trust today — an early lead and excellent pitching helped the infield hold Pitt, among the best teams on the basepaths in the conference, to only one stolen base.
”Today was a tough one. We had some great opportunities, and we’re just not capitalizing on them,” LaMonica said. “We’ve got to execute things a little bit better in pressure moments. It’s just really what it’s coming down to.”
These three seniors — with no eligibility remaining — have unearthed an extra level of strength, determination and grit that has lifted the Cavaliers to glory.
I am a quitter. Or at least that is what I told myself when I hung up my headset after only two months of coxing on the Virginia men's rowing team.
The visitors soared into Charlottesville red-hot, having won three in a row. However, even a pleasant spring breeze and a sturdy defensive performance were not enough to fan the Flames — their streak was extinguished by the eighth victory in the last 10 games for the Cavaliers.
“Our coaching staff is thrilled with the energy, effort, and performance of our men tonight,” Coach Tiffany said. “We love challenges, and certainly playing two games in three days presents such a challenge.”
Just around the halfway mark of the 2026 NCAA softball seasons, No. 18 Virginia has not broken its stride after a 21-1 start.
“Going into the year, there was a lot of discourse about ‘Virginia is good, but can they continue to be this dominant?’” Curzan said. “And I think this year, by and above, we've exceeded everyone's expectations, including our own."
In a sport that can feel like a lonely struggle between two people in the box, Pastel has pursued collective growth, finishing her debut season with a 13-5 record — tied with junior Clare Minnis for most wins on the team.
Leaving college tennis was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. When you spend your entire childhood training for a sport, it becomes part of your identity. For years, my daily routine and friendships revolved around tennis, and transitioning away from competition meant redefining what the sport meant in my life.
This back-and-forth game seemed destined for similar late-inning dramatics, though the Cavaliers (21-5, 6-3 ACC) pulled away with an overwhelming offensive attack that was too much for the Terrapins (11-13, 1-5 Big Ten).
While the Cavaliers did not put together their best team outings, day three offered a bright spot — Virginia was one of just three teams with a top-ten finisher, as Bacardi cracked the top ten for the first time in her career.
While the conclusion of the season is not foregone by any means, Virginia has made well of the opportunities it has been given.
The Demon Deacons rode an early lead to hand the Cavaliers their first ACC loss.
Virginia’s band of heroes smiled. Aching, bloodied and exhausted, they celebrated with vigor. This did not look like the energy one would expect for a plucky darling of the NCAA Tournament that had to win three games in five days.
The sun was high and temperatures approached the low eighties as a mass of fans entered the gates of Davenport Field at Disharoon Park. The temperature was not the only thing that was high, as No. 9 Virginia baseball felt the pressure in their first ACC series-deciding match against No. 24 Wake Forest.
After Bigham had a much more efficient inning of work in the bottom of the second, the Cavaliers were back on offense.
In its last road trip of a busy March, No. 15 Virginia earned a pair of ACC victories in Florida, earning clean wins over Florida State and No. 30 Miami.
