By Eric Kolenich Cavalier Daily Associate Editor The Virginia (25-19, 5-9 ACC) softball team hosts N.C. State (40-17, 10-5 ACC) this weekend for the final home series of the season.
In N.C. State's last two ACC series, the Wolfpack took two of three against both Florida State and Georgia Tech. Virginia is coming off a disappointing trip to Longwood, where the Cavaliers claimed only one victory and lost the opener 8-0. Down early in the second game, the Cavaliers tied it up, and in the eighth inning, Whitney Holstun made the game-winning hit to give Virginia the split in the series.
"Both games they came out to an early lead," sophomore Lindsey Preuss said. "It was 5-0 in the first game and 4-0 in the second game. We fought in the second game to take the win 5-4."
Though impressed with the team's ability to come back with intensity after such a demoralizing beginning, coach Karen Johns was discouraged by the team's inability to perform strongly the entire series.
"You have to perform all the elements to win both games, and we didn't do that," Johns said.
With three hits against Longwood, Preuss's average is up to .277, tied for second on the team. As a sophomore, Preuss is emerging as one of the most underrated performers on the team.
"You see it in the Major Leagues right now," Johns said. "Ten guys are hitting .300 and have six home runs already and nobody knows them. She's definitely to the point where she sees her results."
Despite the losses, the team will prepare for N.C. State the same way they do any other team. March 5, the Cavaliers played N.C. State in the Buzz Classic in Georgia. The Wolfpack escaped with the 8-7 victory in eight innings.
"We know, historically, we've come out a little slow this season," Preuss said. "We haven't had that intensity on Saturday that we've had on Sunday. Our goal needs to be to get there on Saturday."
N.C. State comes in to the weekend tied for second place in the ACC. Their batting average sits at .235, the lowest in the ACC, but the team has racked up 43 home runs, second-most in the conference.
"They're a huge power-hitting team," Johns said. "They have an exceptional number of strikeouts, so they're swinging big."
Johns also mentioned the Wolfpack's experienced pitching staff, which has pitched in the ACC for three years and will be an obstacle for the Virginia offense.
This weekend, the team is hoping junior Amy McKean will return to the lineup. After playing 29 games with a .378 batting average, McKean left the lineup with a fractured tibia. She is still currently tied for the team lead with seven home runs.
"[McKean] will be a pretty big charge in our offense and give us confidence that we've got a pretty big bat in the lineup," Preuss said. "It should put a little fear into N.C. State."
Sunday, the team's four seniors will be honored on Senior Day. Jessica Taylor, Erin Horn, Jackie Greer and Sara Larquier will be playing their final home game for Virginia softball on Sunday.
A doubleheader is schedule for Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. followed by the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m.
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