Mary Caroline Eaton has had an up-and-down career. Virginia softball’s junior utility player has been a top recruit, a role player that did not start in every game and finally, this season, a full-time starter after overcoming injury. And as of today, the 2025 campaign for Eaton has been her best season to date — and the Cavaliers have benefited substantially.
Eaton’s key highlight came just recently, when Virginia was locked in a close contest against No. 4 UCLA playing in Florida Feb. 16. Playing in their final game at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational, the Cavaliers were desperate to beat the Bruins and get back to .500 on the young season.
Virginia had just beaten No. 23 Kentucky, but had lost tight games to No. 5 Texas A&M and Auburn and previously fell twice at the Gamecock Invitational. The theme of those games, frustratingly, had been “so close, yet so far.” In particular, the Cavaliers had the Aggies on the ropes — only to lose by one run. Certainly, that was on Eaton’s mind.
“[Texas A&M] was a competitive game the whole time,” Eaton said in an interview with The Cavalier Daily. “I actually was in a position to walk the game off again in that game with runners on and two outs, and I struck out.”
Eaton has battled through ample adversity throughout her collegiate career, and the Aggies game was no different. In what would have been a signature victory, things just did not go her way.
The challenges started during Eaton’s freshman campaign, when she suffered a season-ending torn labrum injury just 18 games into her new career. Her season was done in February, which was not at all what she had planned going into her debut season. She was supposed to be a star, as she was ranked as the No. 53 recruit in the 2022 high school class by Extra Inning Softball.
Even when she returned in 2024, she continued to face adversity. Eaton fought through a nagging back injury and hit a measly .196 batting average across 27 games. But while Eaton continued to fight the injury bug, Virginia excelled — making an NCAA Tournament regional championship game for the first time in program history.
2024 was a year of great success, but Eaton still felt she had not been able to play her best due to injuries. But over the offseason, she was able to continue her recovery — and was feeling 100 percent for the start of 2025.
“I've just been working a lot in the weight room,” Eaton said. “Rehab, figuring out things to help me, with my injuries, and on the field. And so it just feels really good to be out there, finally, able to compete full go with no pain.”
And all of this rehab paid off when the Cavaliers found themselves in a tight battle against the Bruins. Virginia desperately needed a win. Eaton did too.
Entering the bottom of the final inning against UCLA, Virginia trailed 5-6. Eaton came up to bat with one out and the tying run standing at first base. Deja vu, somewhat.
Lurking in the pitcher’s circle was sophomore left-hander Kaitlyn Terry — the 2024 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Terry quickly threw Eaton into an 0-2 count, and it seemed inevitable that Eaton would soon head back to the dugout empty-handed, just like she did in that loss to the Aggies.
Terry wound up, and delivered a high fastball. Eaton swung for the fences. She squared the ball right on the barrel. Then the ball soared. The large neon softball flew and flew until it dramatically cleared the fence in left centerfield. Game over. Adios, softball. Victory for Virginia.
“Something in her eyes, in her mind, just flipped in that moment,” Coach Joanna Hardin said postgame. “And she’s been so ready for this. She’s overcome so much adversity, so that was her moment, and it’s big for the program.”
Eaton sprinted around the bases and was met at home plate by a mob of teammates. With one fateful swing, Eaton had taken down the No. 4 ranked team in the country.
That was a turning point. In the early goings of the 2025 season, four of the Cavaliers’ five losses have been by just one run. This time, Virginia flipped the script.
“We keep knocking and we keep knocking, and the door opened today,” Hardin said postgame. “And we’re really grateful for it.”
In knocking down the metaphorical door to contention, Eaton made a statement. It has been a long road to get to sustained success — and Eaton’s Cavaliers have proved that they can fight for seven innings with any team in the country.
“We know how to fight,” Hardin said. “We’ve got to stay within striking distance — if we’re within striking distance against anybody in the country, we’ve got a pitch, we’ve got a chance.”
Eaton’s walk-off over UCLA is a clear example of Hardin’s sentiment. Anything can happen. Especially with an improved roster. A key reason why Eaton’s return was desperately needed is that pitching has always been the team’s strength. With another reliable bat in the lineup, the Cavaliers could improve even further after last year’s successful campaign.
Virginia, clearly, already has “beat some people this year.” Perhaps Eaton has more game-winners in store, or at least, a breakout season that has been years in the making.
“We’re here, and we’re ready,” Eaton said postgame. “So, we’re gonna beat some people this year.”
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