After rain postponed a scheduled Wednesday afternoon matchup, Virginia split a doubleheader with Radford yesterday.
The Cavalier defense struggled mentally in the first game, allowing several Highlander runs on errors.
In the bottom of the fifth, junior Jenn Wynn nailed a three-run homer to left field, allowing the Cavaliers to gain the lead, 7-5. Despite Radford junior outfielder Sara Beth Clayton's score on a throwing error near third base in the top of the sixth, the Highlanders could not overtake the Cavaliers, and Virginia sealed the victory, 7-6.
"I think they definitely knew they could pull of the win," Virginia coach Cheryl Sprangel said. "The reason we had the errors was because some people played different spots that they haven't been playing -- it's just been a while since they'd been out there. We knew we could come back and hit and score."
The second game began at a fast pace. Senior shortstop Heather Field put the Cavaliers on the board with a home run to left field. This would be their sole score in the game.
Virginia's offense struggled during the majority of the second game. The Cavaliers were unable to make the hits they needed to get on base.
"We were so eager -- we were attacking the wrong pitches," seniorshortstop Heather Field said. "It put us in the hole -- it's a lose-lose situation when you don't let her [Radford's pitcher] bring it to you."
In an attempt to avoid the errors that were made in the first game, Virginia's starting lineup resumed their usual positions, but it wasn't enough to give the Cavaliers the sweep.
Radford rallied in the fourth inning, recording two runs, both runs coming on fielding errors. Radford sophomore Danielle Tompkins scored on an error made by right fielder Lara Rodriguez, and senior Lara Wohlgemuth scored on an error made by second baseman Elea Crockett. Virginia remained scoreless after the first inning.
In the seventh inning, pitcher Erin Horn relieved freshman Coty Tolar. But, the pitching change was unable to slow down the Highlander offense. Radford scored two more runs to go up 4-1.
Virginia loaded the bases but was unable to pull through and remained scoreless in the final inning.
Despite the loss, the Cavaliers recognize what went wrong and are confident in their ability to correct it.
"We just didn't come out and get little things done that we needed to do," senior first baseman Hannah Owings said. "We just talk each other up. Everyone knows that they can get the job done, it's just a matter of doing it."
Virginia has struggled in ACC play, having recorded only one conference win in their four games this season. They still have to face three ACC schools, starting with top-ranked Florida State.
"I think we're ready to play Florida State, it is on the top of the ACC, and we're underdogs, but we're not going to change anything," Field said. "We are just going to go out and play."
Virginia will host a doubleheader against Florida State at the Park Saturday at noon and 2 p.m.
Read More
No. 14 women’s lacrosse unable to slow No. 2 North Carolina in road defeat
By Eleanor Buchanan | 1 hours agoThe lopsided defeat may prove to be a developmental stepping-stone.
Road loss to Syracuse concludes turbulent regular season for men’s basketball
By Emory Huffman | 11 hours agoEntering the ACC Tournament, the Cavaliers are left with more questions than answers.
Men's lacrosse triumphs over Towson in historic Houston matchup
By Eleanor Lynch | 12 hours agoVirginia earned a sorely-needed victory, and established momentum ahead of a pending clash with No. 1 Maryland.
