Softball: Bigham throws no-hitter in Cavalier debut en route to 5-0 win over Lamar

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Freshmen helped set the tone for the Cavaliers on opening day as Virginia defeated Lamar with a pair of home runs from Jade Hylton and M.C. Eaton while right-hander Eden Bigham tossed a no hitter for the 5-0 victory at the Houston Invitational.

The Cavaliers’ second game of the day against hosting Houston was suspended in the third inning when a light pole lost power behind the first base dugout. Virginia leads 8-1 and the suspended game will be resumed at 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

GAME 1 – Virginia 5, Lamar 0
Virginia (1-0) opened the season with a big outing from a group of true freshmen as the Cavaliers picked up the 5-0 victory over the Cardinals (0-1).

After a pitcher’s duel early, the Cavaliers got on the board with a five-run fifth inning with a pair of home runs from freshmen. Second baseman Jade Hylton started things with a three-run shot before designated player M.C. Eaton would extend the lead with a two-run shot of her own.

Eden Bigham tossed a complete-game shutout in twirling the no-hitter for the Hoos. Bigham struck out nine in the outing.

GAME 2 – Virginia 8, Houston 1 (Suspended Mid-3)
Virginia got off to the quick start against the Cougars as Eaton hit her second two-run home run of the day in the top of the first. Houston answered in the home half before Eaton would add a third run with an RBI single in the second inning.

The third inning saw more fireworks for the Hoos as Abby Weaver hit a three-run shot and Leah Boggs added a two-run homer to put Virginia on top 8-1 before the game would be suspended in the middle of the inning.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Freshmen Jade Hylton and M.C. Eaton each hit home runs for their first collegiate hits.
• Freshman Eden Bigham threw the first no-hitter for UVA since Ally Frei vs. Hampton (4/30/19).
• Eaton turned in her second home run of the day in the suspended game against Houston and had three RBI.
• Jenny Bressler got the start in the game against Houston and had three strikeouts with two hits allowed.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“We were a little nervous; you could see the butterflies in the stomach and the excited energy to go and play someone else. Once we settled in and put up a couple of runs in the first game we were able to play to our potential and be the team that we are. Our team is pretty loose, we have a lot of fun and we looked a little tight there at the start of game one. I’m proud of the team. Our goal is to go play hard and have a lot of fun. They love playing together and they did that well. It was a strange situation in the second game, but winners adjust and we’ll figure it out later in the weekend.”

The Hoos get the no-hitter from Bigham and home runs from Jade Hylton and M.C. Eaton to open the season.

Final score presented by @WellsFargo #GoHoos | #OnTheRise | #HoosNext pic.twitter.com/fq1uOMNQrd

— Virginia Softball (@UVASoftball) February 9, 2023

UP NEXT

Virginia returns to action on Friday afternoon when the Cavaliers take on Sam Houston State in a single game at the Bearkat Classic. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. ET.