Virginia Comes Up Short In Doubleheader At No. 4 Clemson

CLEMSON, S.C. – Two innings spelled the difference in the day for the Cavaliers as Virginia (18-9, 1-4 ACC) dropped both games of a doubleheader at No. 4 Clemson (28-1, 5-0 ACC) on Saturday (March 18).

Clemson won the first game 4-1 behind a three-run third inning before taking the second game 1-0 at McWhorter Stadium.

GAME 1 – No. 4 Clemson 4, Virginia 1
Clemson got on the board in the third with a two-out rally. Virginia looked to get out of the inning on a fielder’s choice to short, but upon review the out call at second was overturned to put a Tiger run on the board and leave two runners on. A double to right center drove in two more runs and the Cavaliers turned to the bullpen.

Virginia answered in the fourth with a sacrifice fly to right from Sarah Coon that scored Tori Gilbert. Gilbert reached on a double down the right field line to get the inning started.

Clemson got the run back in the fourth with bases-loaded fielder’s choice to shallow left to take the lead to 4-1. The lead would hold down the stretch.

Eden Bigham (5-3) suffered the loss as she allowed the three runs on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts in her 2.2 innings of work.

Millie Thompson (9-0) picked up the victory, allowing the one run on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

GAME 2 – No. 4 Clemson 1, Virginia 0
Clemson took advantage of a throwing error on a bunt to put runners at the corners with one out in the third. Maddie Moore then hit a sac fly to center to bring in the first run of the game.

The lead would hold as the Virginia would get a runner in scoring position in the sixth, but Clemson would get out of the inning to grab the 1-0 victory over the Cavaliers.

Molly Grube (7-5) took the loss as she worked a complete-game and allowed one unearned run on two hits with two walks.

Valerie Cagle (12-1) picked up the win as she allowed three hits and struck out five.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Virginia’s pitchers combined to strike out Clemson 11 batters in the opening game of the day.
• Molly Grube worked her second complete-game of the season and fifth of her career in game two.
• Savanah Henley’s six strikeouts in game one tied her Virginia high set against South Carolina (2/11/22).

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“I’m proud of us. We came out and competed hard, especially in that first game. There was a lot of energy and fan engagement and a great environment to play in. I thought we handled it well. Our pitchers did a great job, executed well and the gameplan was right. Now it’s about coming through with some timely hits and making adjustments earlier in the game. We learned a lot and look forward to coming back tomorrow and getting after it.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia and Clemson close the weekend series on Sunday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ACC Network.