The No. 23 Virginia softball team defeated NC State 3-1 at Palmer Park on April 24, with Reagan Hickey hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning to give the Cavaliers the lead.
The victory brings Virginia’s record to 34-12 overall and 11-10 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, while NC State falls to 25-21 and 6-12 in conference games. The result is significant as it keeps Virginia competitive within their conference standings and highlights their strong performance this season.
NC State scored first with Lily Livingston tripling and later coming home on a single by Morgan Talley in the third inning. Virginia tied the game in the fourth when Kelsey Hackett singled down the third base line, scoring Macee Eaton who had reached on a double. In the sixth inning, Hickey’s ninth home run of the season—her eighth with runners on base—brought Eaton across again after she drew a walk.
Courtney Layne earned her eleventh win of the year by pitching three innings of relief for Virginia, allowing two hits and striking out one batter. Rylee Wyman took the loss for NC State after giving up three runs on five hits while striking out four.
Head coach Joanna Hardin said, “We wanted to come out with competitiveness and have an edge to us. Eden Bigham got us going in the first inning when they had the bases loaded, bearing down right there and putting a zero on the board. It took a minute to get going offensively. It was outstanding in the circle today with the complementary pieces of Eden and Courtney Layne. Reagan Hickey had the big home run. She was building up to that moment and locked in today. The defense was gelling together and it was nice having Bella (Cabral) back out there a bit. We’re looking forward to coming out to fight for the series tomorrow.”
Virginia has now hit 56 home runs this season—the second most ever for their program—and will continue their series against NC State with game two scheduled earlier than planned due to weather concerns.
