The Virginia softball team upset nationally-ranked No. 3 Michigan in a 2-1 contest on Saturday and will be facing host No. 13 LSU in the championship game of the Tiger Classic. First pitch will be at 10:00 a.m., moved up to accomodate Virginia's travel arrangements. The consolation Michigan and Oklahoma State game will start 30 minutes after the UVa-LSU matchup.
Virginia started the playoffs rounds of the tournament slow, dropping a decisive 13-0 (5) mercy rule game to Michigan on Friday atnoon, then losing again at 5:00 p.m. to LSU 3-0.
Saturday's play marked the first run for Virginia, though their efforts still fell short, losing to Oklahoma State 5-2. The poor playoffs performance gave Virginia a 4-seed in the tournament, facing top seeded Michigan once again.
This time, the Cavaliers would not be denied.
Right fielder Sarah Tacke and third baseman Abby Snyder scored the two runs for Virginia, as the team had four hits in 24 at bats. Michigan put together 3 hits in 22 at bats, and brought only one runner in.
"It is crazy the way things set up," LSU head coach Yvette Girouard said. "It is the only game they [Virginia] won but it was the big game. I am sure they are flying high. [Pitcher] Melanie Mitchell is getting better the more she has thrown. We have to hit the ball tomorrow and make some things happen."