Courtesy UVA Media Relations
The No. 18 Virginia softball team got a three-run home run from Bella Cabral in her return to the lineup, but dropped the series opener, 12-4, to Clemson, as the Tigers surged down the final two innings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Clemson pushed a run across in the first inning on a walk, a sac bunt and a single before taking the lead out to 4-0 with five straight hits in the third inning.
Virginia (33-9, 10-8 ACC) answered in the fifth, using an RBI single from Macee Eaton and a three-run home run from Bella Cabral to knot the score at four. Clemson, however, answered with a three-run home run of its own in the home half to move out to a 7-4 lead.
Clemson (28-17, 10-9) locked the game up in the sixth, putting together a five-run inning that included a pair of home runs to take the run-rule victory.
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!
Eden Bigham (12-2) took the loss in relief, allowing five runs on six hits with two walks and a strikeout in 2.2 innings of work. Four of the runs allowed were earned in the relief outing.
Macey Cintron (3-0) picked up the win in relief, working the final 1.2 innings as she entered after the Cavaliers tied the game and worked the final 1.2 innings as her team rallied.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Bella Cabral hit her team-leading 11th home run of the season in her return to the lineup.
- Macee Eaton’s RBI in the fifth inning gives her 56 on the year which is third most in a single season at UVA.
FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“The overall performance in all phases was disappointing tonight. I know we’re capable of more than we showed and I know our team believes the same. I expect us to come out tomorrow as a different team and fight to even the series by playing the way I know we’re capable of playing. It’s great to have Bella Cabral back in the lineup. Her home run was a catalyst for the offense, and we have to build off that momentum to finish out a game.”
UP NEXT
Virginia and Clemson continue the series on Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at McWhorter Stadium.
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!
