Cavaliers Open Conference Play at Maryland

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team (10-9) opens Atlantic Coast Conference play this weekend at Maryland (10-7) in College Park, Md.

The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. before the series wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m. Live stats will be linked on VirginiaSports.com.

Virginia is coming of a 2-2 midweek performance, falling twice on the road Tuesday to Longwood before rebounding to sweep a doubleheader at home Wednesday against Norfolk State.

Sarah Tacke leads Virginia at the plate with a .500 average, going 22-for-44 in the batter’s box this season. Abby Snyder and Kennedy Bxybee are each hitting .375. Melanie Mitchell leads the pitching staff with six wins this season; she has 81 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings of work.

Maryland is coming off a doubleheader victory at home against Howard on Wednesday, earning 3-0 and 9-1 victories. Alex Schultz leads the Terrapins with a .404 average while Lexi Carroll is hitting .400. Marisha Branson has a squad-best 10 RBI. Kendra Knight has a 1.79 ERA in the circle this season along with 86 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings.

Virginia leads the all-time series with Maryland, 28-17. Last season, the Terrpains swept the series from the Cavaliers in Charlottesville (5-2, 5-0, 8-4). The last Virginia win was April 19, 2008 in College Park, a 5-4 victory. Maryland went on to win that series 2-1.