The No. 23 Virginia softball team defeated NC State 3-1 at Palmer Park on April 24, with Reagan Hickey delivering a decisive two-run home run in the sixth inning.
The victory improves 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 the conference. The game was marked by strong pitching performances and timely hitting from both teams.
NC State took an early lead in the third inning after Lily Livingston tripled and scored on a single by Morgan Talley. Virginia responded in the fourth when Kelsey Hackett singled down the third base line, bringing Macee Eaton home after her leadoff double.
Hickey’s two-run shot to left field in the sixth put Virginia ahead for good, with Eaton also scoring after reaching base on a walk. Courtney Layne earned her eleventh win of the season by pitching three innings of relief, allowing only two hits and striking out one batter. Rylee Wyman took the loss for NC State, 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.”
Hickey’s ninth home run of this season is also her eighth with runners on base, contributing to Virginia’s total of 56 home runs so far—second most ever for UVA softball.
Due to expected inclement weather on Saturday (April 25), game two of this series has been rescheduled for a start time of 1 p.m., with free admission at Palmer Park.
