Virginia softball kicked off its season at the South Carolina Upstate Classic in Spartanburg, S.C. this weekend. The Cavaliers (1-4) struggled around the board, and fell by mercy rule in the tournament’s final two games.
Eastern Michigan defeated Virginia in the first game, 3-1. Senior Stephanie Harris scored the Cavaliers’ sole run in the first after freshman Katie Park was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Eagles (2-2) responded with a three-run second inning.
Virginia appeared to bounce back in the day’s second game against North Carolina Central. A six-run fifth inning catapulted the Cavaliers to the 8-1 victory against the Eagles (0-4). Senior Marcy Bowdren hit a solo home run and freshman Madison Labshere jacked a two-run homer. Sophomore Aimee Chapdelaine earned her first win, giving up one unearned run in five innings.
Virginia would lose its last three games to finish the tournament. In the final game of day two, South Carolina Upstate defeated the Cavaliers 6-1. Chapdelaine (1-4) was tagged with five runs in the first two innings, and Virginia was unable get anything going at the plate.
The Cavaliers were then swept Sunday, falling to Youngstown State and a second time to South Carolina Upstate (5-0). The Penguins demolished Virginia with a score of 10-2 through five innings. Chapdelaine took the loss and surrendered 10 runs, eight earned, in 4.1 innings. Bowdren contributed with an RBI single in the fourth and, despite the team’s struggles, was named to the All-Tournament team.
Junior Hannah Alexander threw a perfect game as the Spartans subdued the Cavaliers 8-0 after five innings. Six of Alexander’s 15 outs came by way of the strikeout. Chapdelaine gave up three runs in one-plus inning.
The Cavaliers will look to rebound next weekend as they travel to Greensboro, N.C. to compete in the UNC-Greensboro Tournament.
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