For Virginia softball, things are just continuing to click. After winning a three-game series against conference foe North Carolina last weekend, the Cavaliers topped Towson twice in yesterday's double-header.
"We got better tonight," Virginia coach Eileen Schmidt said. "It's a product of good focus and things coming together at the right time."
In the first matchup, Virginia (23-14,7-1 ACC) thwarted a late Tiger charge to win 5-3. The Cavaliers jumped to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, and junior infielder Lauren McCaskey's solo home run in the third increased that margin to 3-0.
With the bases loaded during the fourth, Towson (22-10) threatened to whittle away at Virginia's lead. With a Towson run already plated, Tiger right fielder Kim Lempa smoked a line drive, only to be robbed by Cavalier senior third baseman Abby Snyder. The resulting double play bailed freshman pitcher Melanie Mitchell out of the inning.
"I'm really happy with the way we're playing defense, not only behind me, but behind all of the pitchers," Mitchell said.
During the bottom of the fourth, freshman left fielder Taylor Williams collected her second hit and second RBI of the day. Williams then added another RBI single in the sixth to give the Cavaliers a 5-1 lead heading into the seventh inning.
Towson hitters refused to fall quietly, though, as the team quickly proceeded to score two runs. The Tigers loaded bases with just one out, but Mitchell stifled the comeback and secured the Cavaliers' first win of the day.
In the second contest, sophomore starting pitcher Stephanie Coates allowed three runs during three innings of work. Coates then gave way to senior pitcher Nicole Koren, who surrendered one run through two frames. Their combined effort allowed Mitchell to gain some needed rest before entering in the sixth to pitch two scoreless innings.
"It was really big of Coates and Koren to step up today," Mitchell said. "They did a really good job, and I'm proud of them."
The Cavalier offense gave its three pitchers plenty of support, scoring eight runs in the game. The team knocked in four runs during the first two innings, and then tacked on another four during the fifth. Virginia offered a well-rounded attack, getting a pair of hits from sophomore center fielder Giannina Cipolloni, freshman catcher Kristen Hawkins, senior right fielder Sarah Tacke, McCaskey and Koren.
"We've been having team wins and team efforts, where everybody has been doing their part," McCaskey said.
Virginia will face No. 10 Georgia Tech this weekend, lurking a half-game behind the conference-leading Yellow Jackets. With such a matchup looming, the team may be hitting its stride just at the right time.
"Coming off of the huge weekend against UNC, this win helps us pick up more momentum heading into a big series against Georgia Tech," McCaskey said. "Everyone's really pumped, working hard, and feeling great"
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