The midseason team meeting that rejuvenates and refocuses the team has almost become a cliché in the sports world. For this year's Virginia softball team (28-21, 1-3 ACC), however, their midseason meeting has more than paid off in increased team chemistry and a strong sense of purpose in closing out the year.
Five games ago, the team dropped a two-game series to North Carolina, losing 3-1 and 7-2 at home. Immediately after those losses, the team swept Towson and split a doubleheader with No. 22 Georgia Tech last weekend.
"Right after the [UNC] game, we got together and the 16 of us pulled together," sophomore Sara Larquier said. "We just stayed positive and tried to reaffirm what we are working for."
The 2-0 win against the Jackets was an important step for the squad, as it was their first ACC victory. With three ACC doubleheaders left on the schedule, getting the first win, especially on the road, should affect how the Cavaliers approach the rest of the games on the schedule.
Senior Joanna Barstad pitched a seven-inning, three-hit shutout Saturday, despite not striking out a single batter. The only offense in the Virginia win came in the top of the fourth inning from a score on two Tech errors and a solo shot by Larquier. That little bit of offense proved to be enough for the Cavaliers as they held off the Jackets for the final four innings.
With just 13 games left in the season, the Cavaliers need to become more cohesive on the field and combine the youth of Larquier and freshman second baseman Elea Crockett with the senior leadership of Barstad and shortstop Heather Field.
"We've really united, just with each other," Field said. "We've become more of one rather than 16 separate girls."
Riding the momentum of the split against Georgia Tech, the squad will now face the Radford Highlanders (23-24) in a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon starting at 2:30 p.m. The emergence of Crockett, a 5'3" Arizona native who has elevated herself from ninth to second in the lineup this year, has been a pleasant surprise for the Cavaliers. Her .367 batting average could play an important part in sparking the offense during tomorrow's games.
The Highlanders are led by another short but productive player, junior outfielder and Louisburg College transfer Sarah Beth Clayton. The 5'1" Clayton leads the team in RBIs, notching 20 so far on the season.
Returning home should also benefit the Cavaliers, who have played the last four games on the road. The team has begun to come together and grow as a team, ending much of their loose, unfocused play from earlier in the year.
"As a team we are really tight right now," Larquier said. "It's tough to get through a team that is tight."
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