The Virginia softball team takes to the field this afternoon at The Park for a doubleheader against Brown (6-9). The Cavaliers (23-18) will be looking to bounce back after falling short of the Hoo's Who Tournament crown Sunday.
After defeating Penn State, 5-0, on Sunday afternoon to advance to the championship game later that evening, Virginia couldn't pull through in the title match as they lost, 3-2, to N.C. State in 10 innings.
Sunday was just one of many examples of how up and down the Cavaliers' season has been. In the past seven games, Virginia has been unable to find its rhythm and put together more than two wins in a row.
Shortstop Heather Field said that despite recent struggles, the Cavaliers are a better team than their record indicates.
"The biggest thing is just look at our record," Field said. "Our record says that we are some kind of mediocre team, and we're not. I think it's just the frustration of trying to prove ourselves time and time again. Being consistent, I think working on the consistency is what is going to make us a better team.And I think that really drives us."
The Cavaliers still have half the season ahead of them, and head coach Cheryl Sprangel said she isn't dwelling on the past. For Sprangel, the task at hand is quite simple.
"I think we just [need to] keep focusing on getting ready for ACC play and going about it like that," Sprangel said.
Despite being inconsistent and in the middle of a long and grueling schedule, there are plenty of bright spots in the Virginia clubhouse. If you compare Virginia's Spring Break performance to its post-break performance, there has been a mighty improvement. During spring recess, Virginia compiled a measly 4-9 record. Since then, the Cavaliers have managed to put together a 10-4 mark.
"We just keep improving on everything that we need do," catcher Jenn Wynn said. "We had a shaky Spring Break, but then everything got better. We seem to really be gelling now. There is a real team unity."
If the team is indeed beginning to gel, this week is no better time to do so, as they are only a few days away from beginning their ACC schedule. Before this weekend's series with North Carolina, however, the Cavaliers will have to focus on Brown this afternoon.
The Bears enter today's games coming off a pair of losses at Radford Monday afternoon, and their two games against Virginia will conclude their tour of the state.
Just like the Bears, Virginia will attempt to get back on the winning track in today's doubleheader, with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.
Read More
West Coast woes strike again as men’s basketball gets hammered by Stanford
By Emory Huffman | 9 hours agoVirginia, once again in a lost season, looked aimless on the floor.
ISTVAN: Tony Bennett left Virginia in a hole
By Ben Istvan | 17 hours agoHis decision to retire doomed this men's basketball season.
