After snapping Radford's 13-game win streak in a midweek doubleheader, the Virginia softball team travels to Boston College for another two-game matchup this weekend, hoping to improve its chances at a regional bid.
The Cavaliers (29-18, 9-5 ACC) seem to be riding high on momentum and poise, having won six of their last seven games.
"Everyone's feeling pretty confident," sophomore centerfielder Giannina Cipolloni said. "Everyone's seeing the ball well, everyone's hitting the ball well, so I think we're feeling good."
This weekend, the Cavaliers are looking to tally 30 wins in a season for the first time since the 2005 season. At this point, it may seem easy for Virginia to obtain this feat, as Boston College is currently sitting in last place in the ACC with a 0-12 conference record.
"We know that they haven't won, and they won't get their first win from us," senior third baseman Abby Snyder said.
Nevertheless, the Eagles (14-25) have experienced some success recently, as they are coming off their own midweek doubleheader sweep, in which they defeated Boston University this past Tuesday with scores of 5-0 and 2-1. Senior leftfielder Allie Thunstrom particularly shined that night, going 5-7 with two RBIs.
Thunstrom is not the only offensive threat to Virginia, however. Senior second baseman Renee Ramos, for example, lays claim to an impressive .450 on base percentage, and at .365, she has the team's highest batting average. Still, the Virginia team will settle for nothing less than total victory.
"We're hoping for the sweep and we're coming out for blood," Cipollonis said.
Virginia can expect strong performances on the mound, as Melanie Mitchell is the current ACC pitcher of the week. The freshman earned the honor after tallying both a victory against Hampton and back-to-back wins against N.C. State. Her 22 wins are the most posted by a Cavalier pitcher since the 2002 season.
In addition to strong pitching, the Cavaliers have a .966 fielding percentage.
If successful this weekend, coach Eileen Schmidt's squad could break the program's current record for ACC victories, which the squad has tied with nine ACC wins so far.
To continue their success, though, the Cavaliers will stick to their simple strategy of remembering the basics and just playing their game.
"We just need to string hits together and get good, solid pitching," Schmidt said. "If we play hard, we'll do all right."
The weekend kicks off with a 12 p.m. doubleheader Saturday, following by the final game at noon Sunday.
Virginia will continue conference play next weekend, when the Cavaliers will host Florida State in a doubleheader at home.
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