Virginia Shuts Out No. 24 RedHawks To Open NCAA Regional

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Virginia (33-18) flipped the script on Friday (May 17), hitting a pair of two-run home runs on the way to a 7-0 victory over Miami (OH) (48-8) to win the first game of the NCAA Knoxville Regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

It was the first time this season that the RedHawks, who lead the nation in home runs (159) and runs scored (503), were shut out.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia got on the board in the first with a bases-loaded sac fly to left from Macee Eaton that brought home Jade Hylton from third before the RedHawks would turn a double play to end the first.

The Cavaliers added two more in the second to take the lead out to 3-0. With two on and two outs, Hylton delivered a single through the left side to bring home Sarah Coon from second. The throw to the plate got away from the catcher, allowing Kelsey Hackett to score on the play as she came home from first.

The Hoos extended the lead to five runs in the fifth with a two-run home run from Macee Eaton. Kailyn Jones scored on the play after entering to run for Bella Cabral who drew a leadoff walk. Hylton then added her own two-run shot in the sixth inning as the Cavaliers moved in front 7-0.

Virginia locked things down in the seventh to pick up the win and advance in the winner’s bracket.

Eden Bigham (15-7) picked up the win, working her eighth complete game of the season and her fifth shutout. She struck out 10 and walked three while limiting the RedHawks to two hits on the day.

Madilyn Reeves (22-4) took the loss as she allowed the seven runs – six of them earned – on seven hits with seven walks and a strikeout.

NOTES ON THE DAY

• The Cavaliers won an NCAA Regional game for the second time in program history after also winning the opening game of the 2010 NCAA Regional played in Knoxville.
• Virginia is now 8-4 all-time against the Miami RedHawks with the win on Friday.
• Jade Hylton went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Her home run was her 13th of the season.
• Macee Eaton hit her second home run of the year, a two-run shot in the fifth to go 1-for-2 with three RBI.
• Eden Bigham hit the 10 strikeout mark for the fourth time this season and has 173 strikeouts on the year.
• Virginia is now 28-3 this season when scoring at least three runs

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“I was really happy with the performance today. We had 15 quality at-bats today. Offensively, Kelsey Hackett took advantage of the mistake in the second inning and came on home to give us the 3-0 lead. We just played really heads up softball. I’m really proud of  the overall effort. I’m proud of what [Eden Bigham and Jade Hylton] brought today. We’re happy, but we’re not satisfied and we have to come back ready to play tomorrow.”

UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia will play No. 3 Tennessee in the winner’s bracket game on Saturday (May 18). First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.