Virginia Softball Falls to No. 23 Maryland in 2-1 Pitchers' Duel

The Cavaliers fell to the Terrapins in the opening game of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Friday in Chapel Hill

Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics

UVA got a brilliant performance from freshman pitcher Eden Bigham, but it wasn't enough for the Cavaliers to upend the top 25 Terps. Virginia opened the final edition of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge with a tough 2-1 loss to No. 23 Maryland on Friday afternoon in Chapel Hill. 

This game was the epitome of a pitcher's duel, as UVA freshman Eden Bigham delivered a sensational performance, but was just barely outdueled by Maryland's Trinity Schlotterbeck. Both pitchers went the distance, with Bigham taking the loss with a final line of three hits, four walks, two earned runs, and seven strikeouts in seven innings of work. Schlotterbeck gave up just one earned run on two hits and struck out four in seven innings to earn the victory. 

Virginia got on the board in the bottom of the second as Gabby Baylog drew a leadoff walk, stole second, advanced to the third on a groundout, and then managed to get home on a delayed steal to give UVA a 1-0 lead. 

Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, they would manage just three total baserunners for the rest of the game as Schlotterbeck kept them guessing at the plate. 

Maryland put runners in scoring position in both the second and third innings, but Eden Bigham did well to work herself out of those jams. Bigham worked through the first five innings scoreless, allowing the Cavaliers to cling to a 1-0 lead. 

But in the top of the sixth, Bigham gave up a one-out single and then surrendered a two-run home run to left field from Amelia Lech to put the Terrapins ahead for good. 

Tori Gilbert was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the seventh inning, putting the tying run on first base for UVA. But, Gabby Baylog struck out swinging, Leah Boggs grounded into a fielder's choice to get Gilbert out at second, and then Kailyn Jones struck out swinging to end the game. 

Now 5-2 on the season, Virginia continues the ACC/Big Ten Challenge with a doubleheader on Saturday in Chapel Hill. UVA will take on Minnesota at 10am and then Maryland again at 12:30pm. 

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