Courtesy UVA Media Relations
First-inning home runs from Jade Hylton and Bella Cabral helped No. 23 Virginia build an early lead on Sunday, as the Cavaliers downed NC State by a score of 7-4 to sweep the weekend series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jade Hylton’s leadoff home run in the first inning set the tone for the Hoos (36-12, 13-10 ACC) and sparked a big opening frame for the Cavaliers. After Macee Eaton singled in the next at bat, Bella Cabral delivered the second home run of the inning to put Virginia up 3-0.
NC State turned to its bullpen but walks of the next two batters before a double to right from Alex Call set the Cavaliers up 5-0 before the Wolfpack would get out of the first.
NC State (25-23, 6-14) got a two-run home run from Lily Livingston in the third to cut into the lead.
Virginia got a run back in the fifth when Kamyria Woody-Giggetts scored on a wild pitch, taking the lead to 6-2.
If you want even more award-winning coverage on the UVA athletics department, including its nationally-ranked football and basketball programs, be sure to subscribe to “Cavalier Exclusive” to follow all of Virginia Sports Hall Of Famer Jerry “Hootie” Ratcliffe’s analysis and content. It’s the best in the business for Wahoo Fans!
The Wolfpack cut the lead back to two again with a two-run sixth inning, but the Cavaliers responded with an RBI double from Eaton with two outs in the sixth for the final 7-4 margin.
Courtney Layne (12-4) picked up the win in relief, working the final 4.0 innings in relief of starter Eden Bigham. Layne allowed two runs on two hits with three strikeouts.
Rylee Wyman (6-11) took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits before coming out of the game after making the start.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Virginia honored five seniors as part of Senior Day ceremonies on Sunday: Eden Bigham, Kelsey Hackett, Kassidy Hudson, Jade Hylton and Courtney Layne.
- Jade Hylton’s home run was her ninth of the season, while Bella Cabral hit her team-leading 13th home run.
- Macee Eaton’s RBI in the sixth was her 59th of the season, putting her in second place on the all-time list behind her record-setting mark of 63 RBI from the 2025 season.
FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“Coach Tylka had the team really prepared for the two arms we got in the first inning. We were really aggressive in what we were looking for. Jade (Hylton) leading off with a home run was just a gift on her senior day. The offense made quality outs too with hard hit balls right at people too. It was great to see them come out early; our key was to score first and score often. The combo of Eden (Bigham) and Courtney (Layne) opened and closed that game for us. We made some big defensive plays that gave us some momentum. I’m proud of this senior class, what they’ve meant to us and this program, and we’re not done.”
UP NEXT
Virginia hits the road to face Liberty on Tuesday night at Kamphuis Field in Lynchburg. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
If you want even more award-winning coverage on the UVA athletics department, including its nationally-ranked football and basketball programs, be sure to subscribe to “Cavalier Exclusive” to follow all of Virginia Sports Hall Of Famer Jerry “Hootie” Ratcliffe’s analysis and content. It’s the best in the business for Wahoo Fans!
