The Virginia softball team is hoping to recover after a series of disappointing losses against Maryland during the weekend as the Cavaliers take on traditionally competitive Longwood in a doubleheader today.
Virginia (23-12, 2-7 ACC) dropped the three games to the Terrapins with a combined score of 18-6. Leaving runners in scoring position contributed to Virginia’s loss and is a problem the Cavaliers need to work to remedy, Virginia coach Eileen Schmidt said, adding that her squad cannot be so selective at the plate.
“I think we have a tendency to look for the perfect pitch that we can drive, but you don’t always get those pitches,” Schmidt said. “We need to be able to capitalize, and raise the intensity bar when we get runners in scoring position.”
Longwood (15-14) always has been a tough competitor against Virginia. The Cavaliers have an all-time record of 9-8 against the Lancers, and the teams have split the annual two-game series during the last three seasons. The Lancers are also riding momentum from a five-game winning streak.
Though Longwood’s 4.24 runs per game ranks the team outside the top 100 nationally, the Lancers have shown the ability to heat up offensively, scoring seven or more runs on five occasions this year.
Containing offensive production could be one of the biggest challenges for Virginia pitchers in today’s series. The Lancers have demonstrated their ability to hit for power this season, smacking 21 home runs and eight triples this season. The team ranked 40th in the nation with 61 doubles last season.
“I think our pitchers need to work on keeping them off balance by mixing speeds and hitting their location,” senior shortstop Carly Winger said.
Despite the Lancers’ impressive hitting performance thus far this season, the Cavaliers expect both pitchers to perform well today.
“We have confidence in our pitchers,” freshman shortstop Clara Kendall said.
Senior righthander Karla Wilburn and freshman righthander Stephanie Coates boast impressive numbers on the mound. Wilburn has notched a 2.23 ERA with a 17-6 record, while Coates has tallied a 5-3 record and a 2.24 ERA.
Virginia’s line-up will have to battle strong pitching from the Lancers as well. Longwood sophomore lefthander Briana Wells boasts a 2.94 ERA. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Brittany Spencer’s 6.27 ERA is greater, but she has posted winning 3-2 record.
From the offensive side, the Cavaliers hit .277 as a team, and are led by senior outfielder Sarah Tacke, who has compiled 36 runs batted in and nine home runs. In addition to her power numbers, Tacke has a knack for finding her way on base — she has a .509 on-base percentage and has walked 18 times.
Junior pitcher and outfielder Nicole Koren also could pose an offensive threat against the Lancers. Koren has 10 homeruns and a .388 batting average.
The Lancers, meanwhile, have their own tough offensive producers to counter the Cavaliers’, as Longwood is hitting for an identical .277 average as a team. Junior outfielder Camille Ketsdever has driven in 13 runs and is hitting .375. Sophomore outfielder Nichole Simmons has ripped 10 extra-base hits and has batted in 16 runs.
Schidmt said the team needs to refocus today to get back on the right track. After losing to Maryland, the Cavaliers have now lost their first three conference series.
“It’s just remembering what we are about, making routine plays, and getting back to what we do,” Schmidt said.
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