Softball: Virginia takes series over BC with 1-0 win in finale

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Posted on Sunday, Mar. 3, 2024, 11:23 pm

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

In a reversal of the series opener, Virginia came up with the timely hit on Sunday to earn a 1-0 victory over Boston College and claim the weekend series.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The teams played to a stalemate through five innings with each side finding ways to keep the other off the board through pitching and defense.

Virginia (13-5, 2-1 ACC) broke that stalemate in the sixth inning with an RBI single to left center from Jade Hylton. Leah Boggs scored on the Hylton hit after reaching with a single of her own before moving to second when Sarah Coon was hit by a pitch.

The Cavaliers shut down a rally attempt by the Eagles (10-7, 1-2) in the seventh to lock up the series-clinching victory.

Eden Bigham (5-3) picked up the win as she scattered four hits with a walk and six strikeouts in the complete-game effort.

Abby Dunning (4-3) took the loss, allowing the one run on three hits with seven strikeouts across her 7.0 innings of work.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Eden Bigham threw her second complete game of the weekend and fourth of the season on Sunday.
  • Bigham struck out 13 and allowed one run through 14.0 innings of work in the series against BC.
  • With the series win, the Hoos have now won three straight series over Boston College.
  • Virginia has also won eight of the last 10 games played against the Eagles following Sunday’s victory.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN

“Another pitcher’s duel and you have to tip your cap to Abby Dunning who threw her butt off this weekend. She and Eden Bigham  were so tough and what a tough matchup, but that’s what you expect to see in an ACC matchup is great arms going at each other. Eden went the distance, and it was great to see her get the win. Jade Hylton came up with the timely hit, which is the opposite of what happened for us on Friday.

“There was a huge double play in the third that was a momentum shift. We’re grinding it out and finding ways to win. That’s great to see from our squad, but offensively we’re going to need to string things together more and take some better at bats – the ACC is full of great arms. We’re going to enjoy winning a great series before heading out on the road to Longwood on Tuesday.”

UP NEXT

Virginia heads out on the road next week beginning with a single game at Longwood on Tuesday at 2 p.m. The Hoos will then continue ACC play with a  three-game series at North Carolina over the weekend.