With a season-high 13 runs and 18 hits in its last game, the Virginia softball team (19-16, 2-7 ACC) hopes to duplicate its offensive firepower this weekend as they host Florida State (29-18, 5-4 ACC) for three games.
The Cavaliers are coming off a doubleheader Tuesday at Liberty, which they split. After losing the first game, Virginia rebounded, claiming a 13-3 victory in five innings.
"We were more ready to play the second game," senior Erin Horn said. "There wasn't any excuse for losing the first game."
On the day senior shortstop Sara Larquier notched five hits and two home runs setting the Virginia record for total bases in her career, breaking the previous mark of 414, Larquier raised her batting average to .269 on the season.
Larquier has stepped up to the position she has owned for the last three years as a top hitter in the Virginia lineup. Coach Karen Johns has been especially pleased with Larquier's performance as of late.
"She came in before the Liberty games and really wanted to set some goals," Johns said. "She was disappointed after the North Carolina series. She wanted to achieve some personal goals before the end of the season, not just on the field but off the field as a leader, too."
Sophomore Whitney Holstun went three for three with three RBIs and a run scored in the finale, raising her batting average to .295, a team high among active players.
Horn went three for four with two runs scored, raising her batting average to .268.
"It was my first time hitting in a long time, and I just tried to get out there and put the bat on the ball," Horn said. She also pitched five innings, giving up three runs on four hits with 12 strikeouts.
With all the success of the second game, Johns wishes the team could've displayed that effort in both games.
"We were disappointed [that we only got one win," Johns said. "I was disappointed that we weren't more committed to what we're trying to accomplish."
Johns emphasized the need of crossing the line to a higher level of playing, which the team was unable to accomplish against Liberty. Johns is the kind of coach that believes success is within the control of each and every player.
"You either commit yourself or this is the kind of season you're going to continue to have," Johns said.
The opportunity for the Cavaliers to raise their game to the next level comes this weekend against FSU. Although FSU sits in the middle of the ACC, they are considered much stronger than average. The Seminoles recently took two out of three games against No. 25 Georgia Tech and won a two-game series against No. 24 Florida.
"They're really starting to play well," Johns said. "We're expecting a huge challenge -- probably the biggest challenge of the year. This might be the best team, not necessarily on paper, but the best team we're going to play."
Horn and the rest of the team are expecting an exciting match up. The series begins Saturday 1 p.m. at the Park with a double header, finishing up Sunday 1 p.m. for the final game.
"We're just trying to get people to come out and watch and Florida State will be an exciting game," Horn said.
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