The University of Virginia softball team opens its home schedule today with a doubleheader at the Park at 1:00 p.m. against Radford.
The Cavaliers (17-11) will play a total of seven games this week. With two yesterday at George Mason and two today, the Cavaliers wrap up the week with three games Saturday and Sunday hosting North Carolina.
Radford comes into the series with a 22-14 record and riding a six-game winning streak. In the past two years, Virginia and Radford have split doubleheaders, with each team taking one game.
The Cavaliers came off a tough weekend against the ACC leader, Georgia Tech, losing two out of three games against the Yellow Jackets.
"I think we definitely struggled on Saturday," junior Elea Crockett said. "We were still trying to put some things together."
Virginia lost both games of the doubleheader Saturday but managed to claim victory on Sunday.
"Sunday we came out with a new mentality, and the team was really clicking," Crockett said. "I think we realized the only thing that can beat us is us."
The Cavaliers' three errors in the first game and four in the second underscore Crockett's sentiments. Four of Georgia Tech's 10 runs in the opener were unearned.
"Obviously we were disappointed Saturday, because we did not complete anything we started," coach Karen Johns said. "We got great starts in both games and then we let that all go away."
In a sport where one pitcher frequently occupies the circle for the whole game, Virginia has opted to use all of the pitchers at their disposal.
"We're going to go with the multiple-pitcher approach to execute proper mechanics and get ahead of hitters," Johns said.
With Madi Gore, Karla Wilburn and Erin Horn rotating pitching duties, the team was happy to see the return of junior Coty Tolar, who returned this weekend from injury.
She started her season off slowly, though, allowing four hits and six earned runs in two games this weekend.
"She tried to overthrow, and maybe she was a little anxious," Johns said. "Her health is strong."
In the offensive category, junior Amy McKean still leads the Cavaliers with a .397 batting average, seven homeruns and 23 RBI.
Despite the losses to a very good Yellow Jackets team this past weekend, Johns was still very impressed with Virginia's effort.
"They're a good team," she said. "They never lost ground [the whole weekend]. "I was really proud of us. We stuck with our process and didn't worry about the outcome. [Sunday] it created a good outcome and we were pleased with that."
With their home schedule ready to kick off, the Cavaliers are just glad to be home.
"We've been on the road and busing a lot of places," Crockett said. "It's pretty exhausting. We're excited to be in front of our own fans and we'll try to make it work."
With only 12 games on schedule at the Park, the Cavaliers hope to make the most out of each game.
"We're getting ready to play an in-state team, so motivation is high," Johns said. "We're happy to play on our own field. We'll take [everything we've got] and bring it home."
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