CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — Following a defeat in the ACC Championships in Charlottesville, Virginia softball received an at-large bid to its third straight NCAA tournament on Sunday.
“We’re so grateful to have the opportunity to compete this weekend,” UVA coach Joanna Hardin said in a statement. “We don’t take for granted how difficult it is to be in this field of 64 and the job the selection committee has to do. I’m grateful our body of work and season was recognized.”
The Cavaliers’ first game as the No. 2-seed in the Knoxville Regional will be against Indiana on Friday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2. Northern Kentucky and the hosts, Tennessee, fill out the rest of the region. The ‘Hoos could get a chance to take revenge on the Volunteers, who eliminated Virginia in the 2024 Knoxville Regional.
“We’re comfortable in Knoxville and have played there a lot in recent years (for NCAA Tournament and early season tournaments),” Hardin said. “We’re comfortable with the field and facilities. We’re grateful our student-athletes get to go there and showcase their skills and extend their season. We’re thankful we get to play another weekend together and we’re going to do everything we can to extend our season and stay together as long as possible.”
UVA is 38-13 this year, posting its winningest regular season since 2004. They won their first game in the ACC tournament last week, edging Pittsburgh 2-1 on Wednesday at the event the Cavaliers’ hosted at Palmer Park. But Thursday, rival Virginia Tech eliminated them, 3-1.
The ‘Hoos and Hokies were two of eight ACC teams to make the NCAAs, where they’re joined by Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Stanford. Only the Blue Devils and Seminoles are hosting regionals this weekend.
Tennis
After both the men’s and women’s teams made it past their first and second round matchups, Virginia tennis hosted the NCAA Tournament Round of 16 at Boar’s Head this past weekend.
The men’s team drew No. 13-seed South Carolina on Friday with a chance to march on to the Quarterfinals. After he and Stiles Brockett set the tone for the ‘Hoos to take the doubles point, Keegan Rice notched a win in two sets to start singles play. Brockett and Jangjun Kim helped the Cavaliers tie up the Gamecocks and win out 4-1. With the win, No. 12-seed Mississippi State awaits on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Super Regional did not go as well for the Virginia women, who drew LSU. Melodie Collard earned her 129th career doubles win, tying the highest total in program history. But the Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead and would ultimately win the match and advance 4-1, ending the Cavaliers’ season.
Baseball
The exam break allowed baseball to rest and recharge following a doubleheader win against Radford last Sunday. The Cavaliers played their final ACC series at home in 2026 this past weekend against California, with senior day festivities set for game three.
The Golden Bears jumped on Virginia pitching for seven runs in game one, including a grand slam from their catcher, Hideki Prather. Kyle Johnson answered with a slam of his own, but the four resulting runs were the only four the ‘Hoos could muster, losing 7-4.
A remarkable performance from freshman righthander John Paone kept the California offense quiet over 7.2 innings pitched, allowing Virginia to win a pitcher’s duel, 2-1. That set up a rubber match for Senior Day on Sunday. Joe Tiroly left the yard three times for Virginia, helping power them to seven runs on the day. However, California once again proved too potent an offense, charging back into the game and coming all the way back to win 8-7.
With the ACC tournament looming, one final home game and one final acc series remain. The ‘Hoos will face Richmond Tuesday May 12 at 1 p.m., before traveling to Louisville to face the Cardinals beginning Thursday.
More Action
The Cavalier women enter NCAA regional play on the golf course Monday, with play concluding Wednesday.
The Virginia track & field team concluded its regular season at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier, which saw Madison Townsend earn third in the women’s pole vault with a mark of 4.02. Jerimiah Nubbe threw 57.57 to finish third in the men’s discus as well. The ACC outdoor championships will begin Thursday in Louisville.
