At the dawn of the 2025 season, Virginia softball entered the campaign with something new — high expectations. After receiving votes in multiple preseason polls, Coach Joanna Hardin’s squad entered opening weekend looking to get off to a hot start. The Cavaliers (3-2, 0-0 ACC) opened up the 2025 season on the road, playing their first game Thursday evening and last game Sunday afternoon. That hot start did not happen, but a 3-2 record at the Gamecock Invitational in Columbia, S.C. is nothing to scoff at.
“Opening weekend is about learning your team and gaining valuable feedback to take home and integrate into practice design,” Hardin said. “The challenge going forward is to continue the pursuit of our true identity, both on and off the field.”
The first matchups against the Gamecocks (4-0, 0-0 SEC) were close, so close that it truly could have gone either way, but resulted in two wins for South Carolina, 7-6 and 5-4. But the other three face-offs at the Gamecock Invitational had definitive ends. Virginia took the victory against its three other opponents with ease — defeating East Carolina 4-2, Toledo 4-1 and Saint Francis 12-0.
Three runs in the first inning against the Gamecocks gave the Cavaliers an early advantage. Virginia held South Carolina to just one run in the next three innings, and the Cavaliers managed to tack on three insurance runs over the fifth and sixth innings, building a comfortable 6-2 lead. From there, though, the Gamecocks found their footing. In the seventh and final inning, they loaded the bases — their first real opportunity to flip the game on its head.
And that is exactly what South Carolina did. Junior pitcher Eden Bigham tried to limit the Gamecocks’ potential at cutting down the gap, but she struggled to do so. Bigham walked the first batter and gave South Carolina two points on the board. A two-out single tied the game, and the Gamecocks continued to threaten on the basepaths. All it took was a throwing error to the plate, and South Carolina slid home to take the first game 7-6.
The second game was a chance for the Cavaliers to redeem themselves — they jumped out to an early lead once again thanks to a home run from sophomore infielder Macee Eaton, giving Virginia three runs in the first inning.
But just as they did less than 24 hours earlier, the Gamecocks took advantage of the Cavaliers’ struggle to maintain their lead late into the game, tying the score at four runs apiece in the sixth inning. South Carolina had a three-run home run of its own and managed to hold on in the two extra innings to win 5-4 — due to a single run that slipped by Bigham.
After two deflating losses, Virginia had a tough task ahead — bouncing back against East Carolina, its second opponent of the day. Facing the possibility of returning to Charlottesville with a losing record, the Cavaliers bounced back nicely Friday against the Pirates (2-2, 0-0 AAC) to end the day with their first win of the season.
The teams were locked in a pitching duel for most of the game, posting five consecutive scoreless frames. Junior outfielder Kelsey Hackett finally jumpstarted the Virginia offense in the sixth inning, drawing a walk that eventually led to a three-run outburst. East Carolina tried to respond, but could only get one run in to cut the gap to two.
Keeping the energy high, Virginia looked to extend the lead in the seventh inning and prevent the same mistakes it made against the Gamecocks. A run by junior infielder Jade Hylton gave the Cavaliers their fourth run — East Carolina could only manage one more run and Virginia emerged with a 4-2 victory.
“I was really proud of how we fought to finish the second game today,” Hardin said. “Tomorrow will be a test of mental fortitude and I’m grateful we get to do it together.”
Perhaps Friday evening’s win was a sign of things to come — Virginia finally found its groove on both offense and defense, surrendering just one run over its two remaining games and posting strong offensive performances in both.
Hylton kicked the game off against Toledo, reaching base on a leadoff double and scoring on a triple by senior outfielder Kelly Ayer. Hylton dominated in this face-off, scoring two runs and being at-bat three times. All told, the Cavaliers allowed the Rockets (3-1, 0-0 MAC) to score just one run, cruising to a second consecutive win.
The Sunday matinee concluded action at the Gamecock Invitational, and Virginia was clearly ready to take a third straight victory back home to Charlottesville. Virginia scored three runs in the first inning against Saint Francis and never looked back — in 22 opportunities at bat, the Cavaliers recorded 12 runs, thoroughly swamping the Red Flash (0-4, 0-0 Northeast).
On the defensive side, junior pitcher Courtney Layne shut out the competition in her first career complete game. Layne struck out seven Saint Francis players and only allowed two hits through five innings in a game cut short via mercy rule, and Virginia closed out the weekend with a 12-0 victory. With the Cavaliers’ first five games of regular-season action in the books, Hardin is already looking forward.
“Scores and outcomes can be deceiving at times,” Hardin said. “Situationally, our execution overall must improve and also our focus in key moments. My hope is that as we return home and prepare for our next weekend of competition, our team is more compelled and shows even more desire to perform at an even higher level than we did this weekend.”
Virginia will head to Clearwater, Fla. for the Shriner Children’s Clearwater Invitational Thursday through Sunday. There, Virginia will continue to face big names like Kentucky, Auburn and Texas A&M.
Read More
Harrison Didawick could become Virginia’s home run king — but a title would be better
By Ben Istvan | 9 hours agoThe Cavaliers have high expectations, and Harrison Didawick is at the center.
With ceremony and banner-raising, Virginia honors Tony Bennett
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayA legend's name joined the rafters.
Women’s basketball collapses against Virginia Tech
By Lauren Halak | YesterdayVirginia made just two of its 16 three-point attempts in another ACC loss.
