DURHAM, N.C. – The No. 12 Virginia softball team (31-6, 9-5 ACC) belted out 12 hits on the afternoon, but fell in the series finale at No. 23 Duke (28-11, 13-2 ACC) by a score of 8-4 at Smith Family Softball Stadium on Saturday (April 4).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia loaded the bases in the first, but Duke was able to escape the jam with a strikeout and a flyout. The Cavaliers capitalized on an opportunity in the second when Jade Hylton delivered a two-out single to left, driving in Hannah Weismer.
Macee Eaton took the lead out to 2-0 with a solo home run in the third.
Duke responded in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with a pair of walks and a hit batter. The Blue Devils then strung together a bases-loaded walk, a double, a triple and used an obstruction call at the plate to go in front with a 6-2 lead.
A Hylton home run in the fourth and an RBI single from Reagan Hickey pulled the Cavaliers back within two, but Duke again responded with a two-run home half to put the game at 8-4 after four complete and maintained the lead down the stretch.
Eden Bigham (10-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on two hits with three walks and a strikeout through 2.1 innings of work.
Cassidy Curd (13-2) picked up the win, working the final 3.2 innings, scattering three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
NOTING THE HOOS
- Jade Hylton’s home run was her fifth of the season and 48th of her career as she went 3-for-4 on the day.
FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“Our players fought really hard today and were super competitive. We had some gritty at bats. We had to move some things around and they did great handling that. You rise to occasions like this. Some of our players who hadn’t had a lot of time got huge experience, got quality at bats and the pitching staff gave us everything they had. That’s all we can ask. It was about giving everything we had in the tank today and I’m proud of the effort. We’ll take away a lot and learn a lot about film, softball and us as a team. Getting punched doesn’t knock us out; we’ll get back up and back at it next week.”
UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia returns to action on Wednesday when the Cavaliers host Louisiana in a midweek matchup at Palmer Park. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.