Virginia Drops Pitcher's Duel With Boston College

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – On a day with offense at a premium, one hit was all it took to decide the game as Virginia (11-5, 0-1 ACC) fell to Boston College (10-5, 1-0 ACC) by a score of 1-0 at Palmer Park on Friday (March 1).

Game two of the series on Saturday (March 2) has been pushed to a 2 p.m. first pitch due to expected inclement weather in the area overnight.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Boston College struck in the second with a two-out RBI single up the middle from Emma Jackson that scored Jordan Stephens. Stephens opened the frame with a walk before taking second on a sac bunt to get into scoring position.

It was all the offense that would be needed as the Eagles took the series-opening victory.

Eden Bigham (4-3) took the loss despite striking out eight batters and allowing only the one hit on the afternoon in the complete game effort. She walked one batter.

Abby Dunning (4-2) picked up the win as she limited the Cavaliers to the one hit with seven strikeouts and a walk through her 7.0 innings in the circle.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Eden Bigham struck out at least eight batters for the fifth time in eight appearances this season.
• The complete game against Boston College was Bigham’s third complete game of the season.
• It was Bigham’s fourth complete-game outing of her career in which she has allowed one hit or fewer.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“Eden threw it well enough to win. The difference was a timely hit with a runner in scoring position and we didn’t have that timely hit. We had the opportunity with a runner at third and one out in the first and didn’t make the most of it. The pitchers were throwing it well and it’s going to be tough when pitching is executing at a high clip. The name of the game is execution. Boston College did their part and we didn’t. We have to come back tomorrow and ensure we’re swinging with confidence in the box. We have the plan, now it’s just about executing with extreme confidence in what we’re doing.