Softball: UVA reaches regional final, but knocked out by No. 3 seed Tennessee

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The season came to an end for Virginia on Sunday afternoon as the Cavaliers fell in the NCAA Regional final by a score of 6-0 to No. 3 Tennessee. Tennessee was the top seed in the region and seeded third overall in the NCAA Field of 64.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Tennessee (43-10) struck in the first inning with a two-out single from Rylie West. Kiki Malloy and McKenna Gibson scored on the play. Malloy drew a leadoff walk and Gibson was hit by a pitch to reach base for the West hit.

The Lady Vols added to the lead in the third inning with a single through the left side that scored Malloy from second and left two in scoring position. West then doubled to left center and drove two more runs in as Tennessee moved in front 5-0 and Virginia (34-20) went to the bullpen for Madi Harris.

The lead moved to 6-0 in the fifth with a solo home run to left from West and Tennessee held that advantage through the end.

Eden Bigham (16-8) took the loss, allowing five runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts through 2.1 innings of work. Madi Harris closed out the final 4.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

Karlyn Pickens (21-6) picked up the win for Tennessee as she held the Hoos to two hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• It was Virginia’s first appearance in an NCAA Regional final in the program’s second-ever NCAA Tournament.
• The Cavaliers first NCAA Regional appearance was also in the NCAA Knoxville Regional in the 2010 season.
• Virginia is now 3-4 in NCAA Tournament games after going 2-2 this season and advancing to the final.
• The Cavaliers finish the season with 34 wins, matching the win total of the 2010 NCAA Regional team.
• The 34 wins (2024, 2010) is the most by a Virginia team since the 2004 team posted 38 wins.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“What a hell of a year. So much pride. We knew it would be tough going against Tennessee, but it’s a brag moment for my team. We came out tough and fearless. Madi Harris pitched her butt off today. I’ve been watching Leah Boggs do what she does for four years now. It’s a bittersweet moment. You want to soak it all in, but there’s the realization that it’s the last time you’ll be on the field with some of these girls.

“I have tons of pride and am grateful for the opportunities to coach this senior class who committed six years ago with a dream to be here today and no reason to believe it was possible, yet here we are. I’m really proud of them, the team and my staff. It’s been a hike to get here, but here we are.”