Winning teams build momentum after big wins. The Virginia (30-23, 2-4 ACC) softball team has already taken care of winning the big game, beating No. 2 Florida State with a two out rally in the seventh inning Sunday. Now the Cavaliers hope to build on that victory during a doubleheader with the Liberty Flames (18-33, 3-5 Big South) this afternoon in Lynchburg, Va.
"I think if we can really finish strong the rest of the year, we need to continue to play like that every game," Virginia head coach Cheryl Sprangel said after the win over Florida State. "Now we know we can do it. And I think we just have to keep it rolling and I think we'll have a shot [at making Regionals]. It has got to open some eyes when you beat No. 2 in the country."
Virginia will have an interesting schedule coming up. Right after today's games, the Cavaliers will return to Charlottesville to host James Madison (21-23, 6-3 CAA) for another doubleheader Wednesday. The Cavaliers will rely on the starting pitching of senior Joanna Barstad, sophomore Erin Horn and freshman Coty Tolar to get through four games in two days. The three pitchers have combined to start all of Virginia's games so far this season. Each pitcher of the trio has pitched nine complete games this season, and they have led the Cavalier pitching staff to a combined ERA of 2.27.
"This is where I want [our pitchers] to be," Sprangel said. "This is how I have thought they could pitch all year long. I think now they are really starting to figure it out and hopefully it's enough to carry us the rest of the year... But now I really think they are at where they should be. They are confident in what they can do."
Sprangel's words were reinforced by the pitching performances of Horn and Barstead this past weekend against Florida State. Barstead lost a pitcher's duel with Florida State's Casey Hunter in the first game of the doubleheader, 1-0. Barstead gave up only one run and three hits in the complete game loss. Horn also pitched a complete game against the Seminoles Sunday. Horn struck out five batters in her seven innings of work on her way to picking up her 13th win of the season.
"The main difference between playing them this year and playing them last year is I had a lot more confidence," Horn said. "Last year, they could kind of tell I was a timid first year. They took advantage of that. This time I had a lot more confidence and I think that was the key."
The Cavaliers will face a Liberty team that is coming off a split doubleheader with Eastern Carolina. The Flames won the first game against the Pirates, 6-5, but lost the second game, 17-11, despite getting a school-record 7 RBI from junior catcher Amanda Maska. Maska, who leads Liberty in every major offensive category, is also on a 13-game hitting streak.
James Madison will come into Charlottesville on a five-game losing streak. The Dukes have not won since beating George Mason, 5-4, on April 10. The Cavalier batters should fare well against the Dukes pitching staff, as none of the James Madison starters has a winning record on the season.
With four games in two days, the Cavaliers will look to build momentum to finish the season strong and possibly gain a spot in the postseason Regional Tournament.
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