The Virginia softball team lost two out of three to N.C. State this weekend. The Wolfpack claimed the first two victories, winning Saturday's doubleheader, 4-0 and 7-5. The Cavaliers returned with energy Sunday, taking the 5-2 victory in their last regular season home game.
In the opener, Virginia (26-21, 6-11 ACC) committed four errors while facing N.C. State (42-18, 12-6 ACC) and managed only three hits off Wolfpack pitcher Abbie Simms. Erin Horn gave up only one run, but took the loss in the game.
In the second game Saturday, the Cavaliers came back at the end, scoring five runs in the final two innings, but it was not enough against the seven runs N.C. State posted over the last three innings.
In the series finale, senior Erin Horn pitched six innings, giving up one earned run on two hits with seven strikeouts in her final home performance as a Cavalier. With the Cavaliers up 1-0 with two runners on in the third inning, senior Jessica Taylor hit a line drive triple to right field, scoring sophomore Whitney Holstun and junior Elea Crockett.
Junior Amy McKean then knocked in Taylor with an RBI single to left field. Going 2-2 on the day with a double and an RBI, McKean returned in stride in only her second day back after a month-long absence due to a knee injury.
N.C. State managed one run in the sixth and seventh. With junior Coty Tolar in the circle to close the door, N.C. State cut the lead 5-2, with runners on first and second. With two outs, the N.C. State batter popped out to Crockett, ending the game with two runners left on base.
With strong pitching and a productive offense that scored five runs on seven hits, the Cavaliers looked like a team that could challenge any team in the ACC. Unfortunately, Virginia could only muster this strength in one of the three games.
"We're still not getting the consistency we need," coach Karen Johns said. "It takes rock bottom to motivate them and we have to get away from that."
With the ACC tournament right around the corner, the Cavaliers need to produce this success in every game to compete against top teams.
"There's a lot that's positive," Taylor said. "We can look to the ACC tournament and we can put it all together. We have Boston College and a few week games coming up and we have to keep it consistent."
Erin Horn emphasized the need for the team to look to each other for energy, so that they can come on the field with passion and fervor in the very first game.
"It's important to be loud and cheer on our teammates so we can feed off that going in to the game," Horn said.
With one ACC series left, the Cavaliers have no midweek games this week and will travel to Boston College next weekend to wrap up the regular season in the ACC.
The team travels to Towson May 2 for a doubleheader to end the regular season. The ACC tournament begins May 11.
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