Virginia Hosts Georgia Tech To Open ACC Play

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team (17-5, 0-0 ACC) opens ACC play this weekend with a three-game series against Georgia Tech (12-8, 0-0 ACC) at Palmer Park. First pitch for the series opener is set for 5 p.m. on Friday (March 10).

WEEKEND SERIES SCHEDULE
Friday vs. Georgia Tech – 5 p.m.
Saturday vs. Georgia Tech – 1 p.m.
Sunday vs. Georgia Tech – 4 p.m.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
Friday and Saturday’s games will be streamed on ACCNX, while Sunday’s finale has been picked for broadcast on the ACC Network. All three games are available to stream through the ESPN app and at ESPN.com. Live stats are also available. Links to the streams and live stats are at VirginiaSports.com.

TICKETS AVAILABLE
General admission tickets are available for all games and can be purchased at UVATix.com

PARKING INFORMATION
Fans planning to attend Saturday’s 1 p.m. game against Georgia Tech should be aware that due to the Reba McIntire concert that evening, a vacate time has been placed on the JPJ South lot at 4 p.m. Fans can also park at the Emmett/Ivy Garage.

QUICK HITS

• Virginia had an 11-game win streak snapped last outing – the longest win streak since a pair of 12-game win streaks in the 2001 season.
• Kelly Ayer has been hot with an 12-game hit streak that continued on Tuesday at Liberty.
• Ayer also leads the ACC and ranks 12th nationally in steals (15) entering the weekend.
• Jade Hylton also ranks third in the ACC in steals (12) and is 23rd nationally.
• The Hoos have been aggressive on the basepath with 62 steals – ranking fifth nationally.
• Jade Hylton holds the team lead in home runs (7) and also leads the team in RBI (19).
• Hylton’s seven home runs ranks 17th nationally and is second in the ACC this season.
• Freshman RHP Eden Bigham ranks eighth nationally in fewest hits allowed per seven innings (2.95) and is coming off a performance with a career-high 10 strikeouts against George Mason on Sunday night.
• Sophomore Kailyn Jones hit her first career home run on Tuesday night at Liberty with a two-run shot to right field in the second inning to tie the game with the Flames.
• Jones – who is known more for speed than power – is tied for the NCAA lead in triples (4).
• UVA’s series with Georgia Tech closes a stretch for the Hoos with 14-of-15 games at home.
• Jenny Bressler has been clutch for the Hoos in relief and is sixth nationally in saves with three saves while also posting a 5-1 record through her 13 appearances and six starts.

THE SERIES WITH GEORGIA TECH

• Virginia and Georgia Tech have faced each other 95 times with the Yellow Jackets leading the series 52-43.
• Georgia Tech leads 20-12 in games played at UVA.
• The last meeting came in the 2021 season when UVA closed the season at Georgia Tech – a series in which the Yellow Jackets won all four games.
• It’s been a series of streaks with Georgia Tech winning the last eight meetings, but the Hoos won six straight prior to this current streak.
• The two teams are set for a competitive series on paper with the Hoos at No. 53 in the initial RPI and Georgia Tech at No. 54.