Virginia advanced in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship with a 2-1 walk-off win over Pitt on May 6, rallying for runs in the sixth and seventh innings at Palmer Park. The Cavaliers improved their record to 38-12 with the victory, while Pitt ended its season at 25-27.
The result allows Virginia to move forward in the tournament for a second consecutive year. The game saw Pitt take an early lead when Calle Henne scored from first base after a single through the right side. Although initially ruled out at home plate, a challenge overturned the call and gave Pitt its only run of the night.
Virginia tied the game in the sixth inning with a solo home run by Macee Eaton, her twelfth of the season. In the seventh inning, Kamyria Woody-Giggetts scored from second base following a bunt by Kelsey Hackett that resulted in an errant throw to first base, securing Virginia’s walk-off win.
Eden Bigham earned her fourteenth win of the season by pitching four innings of relief, striking out seven and allowing only two hits. Kyra Pittman took the loss for Pitt after allowing two runs—one earned—on four hits across six innings.
Head coach Joanna Hardin said, “It was a slow start on the offensive side and the pitching really kept us in it. I was proud of the team for continuing to swing, not getting discourage and staying after it. We knew it was going to fall at some point and they just kept swinging. Macee’s home run in a clutch at bat gave us a chance to take a deep breath. We did a great job of sticking with it tonight.”
Hardin also praised Bigham’s performance: “Eden (Bigham) has found a great rhythm coming off the NC State series and the game at Liberty last week. She’s pounding the zone early and that’s great to see. When she’s throwing the changeup and executing velo on both sides of the plate, she’s tough to hit.”
With this victory, Virginia will face No. 3 seed Virginia Tech next in Thursday night’s second round matchup scheduled for 7:30 p.m., also at Palmer Park.
