Softball: Cavaliers blank Tar Heels, 3-0, to open weekend series

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia got a complete-game shutout from Eden Bigham and pulled away late as the Cavaliers defeated North Carolina by a score of 3-0 on Friday night to open the weekend series.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Virginia (15-5, 3-1 ACC) scored in the fifth to break the stalemate as Bella Cabral delivered a fly ball to left with runners at the corner. Leah Boggs, who reached on a double and advanced to second on an infield single from Jade Hylton, scored on the play.

The Cavaliers added two more runs in the seventh beginning with a Hylton double to left center with runners at the corners. Kamyria Woody-Giggetts scored from third on the Hylton hit after entering as a pinch runner, moving to second on an infield single from Boggs and then stealing third. Boggs went to third on the Hylton hit and scored in the next at bat on an infield single to short from Cabral.

The Hoos kept the Tar Heels (17-4, 0-1) in check in the bottom of the inning to secure the win.

Eden Bigham (6-3) picked up the win, scattering three hits while striking out six and walking three in the complete-game shutout.

Nikki Harris (4-1) took the loss as she allowed the three runs on nine hits with six strikeouts through 6.1 innings of work.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Bigham threw her second-straight complete-game shutout after posting a 1-0 victory over Boston College to clinch the weekend series to open ACC play last Sunday.
• Boggs was 3 for 3 with two runs scored to pace the Cavaliers on the night.
• Cabral took her hit streak to seven games as she went 2 for 3 with two RBI against the Tar Heels.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“We challenged our team to be extremely competitive and gritty going into this series, and to make some adjustments from our Boston College series. We wanted to come out with fight and be less worried about being perfect and be more concerned about being really competitive. We had a lot of great at bats early in the game and that led to those runs late in the game. Eden Bigham did a great job and is always going to do what she does.

“Leah Boggs was our player of the game being our leader. She was getting hits, throwing people out, playing well behind the great and it was great to see her just lead and do what she does. We’re going to rest tonight and come out ready to go again on Saturday.”

UP NEXT

Virginia and North Carolina continue the series on Saturday with a single game now at 7 p.m. due to impending weather in the area.