Virginia Falls In Game Two With No. 11 Clemson

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Two big innings were the difference on Saturday (March 23) as Virginia (19-10, 6-5 ACC) dropped game two of the weekend series with No. 11 Clemson (22-8, 6-2 ACC) by a score of 5-1.

The teams will play the rubber match at noon on Sunday (March 24).

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia started the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single to center from Sarah Coon that scored Abby Weaver from second. Weaver reached on a single to left and took second on a single to center from Macee Eaton to set up the score on the Coon hit.

Clemson tied things in the third with a two-out double to right center from Valerie Cagle. Arielle Oda scored on the play after reaching on a leadoff single and taking second on a groundout. The Tigers took the lead in the next at bat with a single to center from Alia Logoleo that scored Cagle.

The Tigers extended the lead in the fourth with a three-run inning built off an RBI single to left from Aby Vieira. Then with two outs, Clemson got an RBI triple from Oda and an RBI single from Alex Brown to take the lead to 5-1. That lead would hold to the end.

Eden Bigham (7-6) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts through 4.0 innings of work.

Regan Spencer (5-0) picked up the win, allowing the one run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• Abby Weaver extended her hit streak to four games with her single in the first inning.
• Mikayla Houge closed out the final 3.0 innings, allowing two hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“I love that we came out and scored first. We were pretty intent and locked in at the plate. We had seven quality at bats in our first 13 plate appearances, but I’d have liked to see us continue that through the last four innings. Eden came out and gave us a chance putting up zeros early. This is a back and forth league and she got the save last night and came out on top, but today Clemson punched back. Tomorrow’s rubber match will be great and a dog fight, but that’s what we sign up for and why we compete in one of the best conferences in the country. We want to own that and have a great rubber match Sunday.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia and Clemson conclude the weekend series at 12 p.m. on Sunday (March 24) at Palmer Park. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive a free UVA Hawaiian Shirt.