The No. 18 Virginia softball team is set to play James Madison University on April 21 in a home contest at Palmer Park, according to an announcement from the program. The game, scheduled for 5 p.m., marks the Cavaliers’ final regular-season non-conference home matchup and begins a stretch of four consecutive home games.
This week holds significance for Virginia as it works to solidify its postseason position. The Cavaliers currently hold a record of 33-11 and have performed strongly at Palmer Park with a 21-3 record this season. With an RPI ranking of 27, Virginia is the sixth-highest rated Atlantic Coast Conference team and has played nineteen games against teams ranked in the top fifty of the RPI.
Fans can watch Tuesday’s game via ACCNX through ESPN.com or follow live statistics linked on VirigniaSports.com. Updates will also be provided on X (@UVASoftball).
The Cavaliers have received notable contributions from several players this season. Jade Hylton hit her fiftieth career home run during Sunday’s series finale against Clemson, while Bella Cabral returned to action by hitting her eleventh home run in game one against Clemson. The pitching staff continues to perform well, ranking second in the ACC for earned run average (3.00) and hits allowed per seven innings (5.85), while leading the league in WHIP (1.30) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.22). Nationally, Virginia’s bullpen ranks among the top thirty teams in these categories.
Courtney Layne enters this week ranked third in conference ERA (2.38), first in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.19), and second in WHIP (1.08). Four pitchers—Taylor Smith, Julia Cuozzo, Layne, and Eden Bigham—are among the top twelve ACC players for strikeouts per seven innings pitched.
Looking ahead, Virginia will host NC State over three games beginning Friday night at Palmer Park with Senior Day scheduled for Sunday when five seniors will be honored after the final game.
