The No. 18 Virginia softball team lost its series finale against Clemson by a score of 6-1 at McWhorter Stadium on April 19.
This result leaves Virginia with a record of 33 wins and 11 losses overall, and an even split of 10-10 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Clemson now stands at 30-17 overall and holds a conference record of 12-9.
Clemson took an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding two more with a home run in the second. Virginia responded in the third inning when Jade Hylton hit a solo home run to right center field, narrowing the gap to three runs. However, Clemson extended its lead with another home run in the bottom of the third and scored once more in the fourth inning for the final margin.
Eden Bigham started for Virginia, allowing four runs on three hits over two innings while recording one walk and one strikeout. Sierra Maness earned the win for Clemson with a complete-game performance, giving up just one run on two hits while walking five batters and striking out four.
Head coach Joanna Hardin said after the game: “We are all disappointed on how the weekend played out. Our execution in multiple phases was inconsistent, however, it’s not for lack of effort or intent by the team and the staff. We know very clearly adjustments need to be made and have complete faith in our circle that we will all work together, in alignment, to simply get better. We have the right people and athletes in our program to move forward and continue climbing our mountain.”
Virginia is scheduled to return to action against James Madison University at Palmer Park on Tuesday, April 21.
