CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – One big inning shifted the course of the game on Sunday (April 12) as No. 17 Virginia (33-8, 10-7 ACC) fell in the series finale with No. 11 Virginia Tech (36-6, 11-4 ACC) by a score of 5-0 at Palmer Park.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia Tech got on the board in the third, capitalizing on a throwing error to home off a ground ball back to the circle with the bases loaded and two outs. The error resulted in two runs scoring instead of the out at the plate and left two in scoring position. The Cavaliers turned to Eden Bigham out of the pen. A sac bunt and an RBI single through the left side took the Hokies out to a 4-0 lead.
The Hokies added a fifth run in the fourth inning on a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded.
Julia Cuozzo (5-3) took the loss, allowing four unearned runs on three hits with two walks and a strikeout in 2.1innings of work.
Emma Mazzarone (10-3) picked up the win, allowing three hits with three walks and seven strikeouts through 5.0 innings of work.
THE SMITHFIELD COMMONWEALTH CLASH
- The softball series between Virginia and Virginia Tech was worth one point in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash and with the victory, Virginia Tech picked up a point in the competition between the schools.
- The Cavaliers locked up the 2025-26 Commonwealth Clash prior to the beginning of the softball series between the teams when the Virginia men’s tennis team defeated Virginia Tech 4-0 to give the Hoos an 11-4 lead in the series.
FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“There are a lot of positives to take away from the weekend. I thought our pitching staff was excellent against a very powerful offense. We kept everything in the park and gave up minimal earned runs over the three game stretch, so I thought they attached really well. Defensively and offensively, there is a lot of great feedback for us to take into practice this week that we need to work on. Overall, I’m really proud of the fight, but disappointed with the outcome, so it’s important that we see all the growth and positive opportunities we can take away. We faced two really elite arms this weekend and every inning we played prepares us for a postseason run. I’m grateful we get to go back to work on Monday.”
UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia returns to action next weekend with another ACC series. The Cavaliers will hit the road to face Clemson starting on Friday (April 17) at 6 p.m.