Virginia Defeats Clemson In A Series For The First Time Ever (3-24-24)
By: Darrell Owens
All Photo Credit: Darrell Owens-LMS Network
Charlottesville, VA –The Virginia Cavaliers came into Sunday (19-10, 6-5 ACC) after splitting with #11 Clemson Tigers in the first two games of this 3-game series. The Cavaliers pull out the shocker in game one after being down 4–0 to win 6-4, winning their first-ever game against the Tigers. In game two, Clemson took care of business winning 5-1 to tie the series 1-1. The Cavaliers were hoping to get their first-ever series victory against Clemson, and that goal they would accomplish.
The Cavaliers were able to shout out Clemson 3-0 today. This was the first game this season where the Tigers were held scoreless. The Cavaliers have reached the 20-win mark this season with the win. Virginia was led by senior Madi Harris, who pitched five scoreless innings in relief work moving her win-loss record to 6-1 this season. Outfielder Kelly Ayer knocked in the first RBI of the day with a two-out single which scored Kelsey Hackett from second base in the bottom of the second giving UVA a 1-0 lead. In the fifth inning, Jade Hylton would extend the Cavaliers’ lead with a two-run homer making it 3-0. The Cavaliers’ defense would hold up the next two innings to give them the victory.
Virginia Head Coach Joanna Hardin had this to say after the game about the team’s performance this weekend…
“We met today to talk about throwing punches for 21 outs, having intent, and being really focused. I don’t think anyone except us expected we would win a game, much less the series. I’m really proud of our belief, grit, and fight. Madi Harris came up huge for the whole weekend and really kept them at bay all day today. It’s someone different every day. You never know who will get the big hit or have their big moment. That’s what makes this team special. Everyone is ready to go and hungry. There’s a deep belief in who we are and what we’re capable of being. I’m proud of the team for sticking through it and fighting through the weekend.”
The Cavaliers will hit the road this week for seven straight games. First two matchups against in-state rivals. Virginia will face Liberty on Tuesday (March 26) at 6 pm and JMU (March 27) on Wednesday at 4 PM. At the end of the week (March 29-30), Virginia will leave the state to take on Villanova in a two-game series. Lastly, they will finish the road trip versus Notre Dame (April 5-7) before returning home to take on Liberty on April 9th
