Virginia Softball sweeps Saturday contests

The Virginia softball team had a successful Saturday, winning both games of their doubleheader at the East Carolina Pirate Clash. The Hoos came away with what looked like a pretty easy 7-2 victory over Hofstra, and battled for a 6-4 victory over Fordham, who hit a grand slam at the bottom of the fourth to almost rally from a 5-0 deficit.

So, why do you care? You care because the Cavaliers got off to a 4-0 start, its best start since 1994, when Virginia rattled off six straight wins to open the season. The Hoos stumbled on Friday, first to Fordham in a 2-1 loss, then to No. 21 Louisville, again in a 2-1 loss, but avenged the Fordham loss on Saturday.

Of Virginia's opponents so far - Drexel, ECU, Canisius, Fordham, Louisville and Hofstra - ECU, Fordham and Louisville all made postseason appearances last year, though none survived their regional. Virginia failed to make the postseason last year after earning their first NCAA bid in 2010. The Hoos are poised for some strong play this season for a possible return to at least the regional round, though that's too many months away to seriously consider at this time.

The Cavaliers will take on UNC Greensboro on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in the Hoos' final game of the ECU Pirate Clash. Virginia then returns home to host the Cavalier Invitational next week, where they'll play Ohio twice, Colgate, and Saint Joseph's twice.