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Virginia Softball Looks To Continue to Make History As Postseason Play Approaches

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Virginia Softball Looks To Continue to Make History As Postseason Play Approaches


The 2023-2024 regular season campaign for the Virginia Cavaliers softball team wound up being far more impressive than outsiders initially predicted. The Hoos were slated to finish ninth out of 13 ACC teams, but instead finished fourth with a 32-17 record and a 15-9 record in the ACC, good for the team’s highest finish since 2010.

While the conference and non-conference schedules still had some blips, the Hoos won seven out of eight ACC series, including huge victories against Clemson and Duke, who were ranked eleventh and third at the time.

Clemson will get a rematch with Virginia on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the 2024 ACC Softball Tournament in Durham after the Cavaliers beat the Tigers twice in Charlottesville. In the March series that really ignited a run in the ACC, a bases loaded double from Bella Cabral helped Virginia storm back from a 4-0 deficit to take a 6-4 lead, and the Cavalier pitching staff did the rest. The defense was also impressive in a game three shutout, and Jade Hylton hit a late game home run to secure the 3-0 victory.

Madi Harris had a breakout series in the circle against Clemson, pitching 9.1 innings, earning two wins, and not giving up a single run. With that kind of performance, it’s possible that Virginia opts to give Harris the ball in the ACC quarterfinals, and we can see if she can once again stymie the Clemson offense.

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In addition to Madi Harris in the circle, we will likely see UVA’s ace, Eden Bigham, who was honored as ACC pitcher of the week three times this season and she has pitched double the number of innings as the next pitcher (129.1 to 65.2 from Madi Harris). On Wednesday, Hylton was named to the All-ACC First Team.

Virginia’s offense struggled to produce runs early in the season, but it has improved significantly since then. Jade Hylton leads the way for Virginia in nearly every offensive category, including average (.342), runs (33), hits (53), doubles (12), home runs (12), on base percentage (.428), slugging percentage (.677), OPS (1.105), RBI (37), walks (24), and stolen bases (14). Hylton joined Bigham as Virginia’s two All-ACC First-Team selections.

Shelby Barbee has a hot bat after earning Co-ACC Player of the Week Honors for her Georgia Tech series where she went 6 for 9 with 7 RBI and three home runs. UVA is hoping that the week off between games doesn’t disrupt her streak. Another player to watch is freshman Bella Cabral, who has made clutch plays both on offense and at second base throughout the season. Cabral was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team, while Barbee was an All-ACC Third-Team selection.

On Clemson’s side, reigning National Player of the Year Valerie Cagle is always a threat in the circle and at the plate. She is hitting .364 with an OPS of 1.057. Teammates McKenzie Clark and Maddie Moore also have OPS metrics of above 1.000, which is an impressive threshold to cross. 

Regan Spencer has pitched the most for Clemson this season and boasts a 2.00 ERA. While Spencer often relies on her defense to get outs behind her, Cagle and Millie Thompson are two pitchers who rely more on strikeouts. They have ERAs of 2.50 and 1.77, respectively. 

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Virginia is entering postseason play with back-to-back 30 win seasons. While Joanna Hardin has steadily improved her team in eight seasons at Virginia, that has yet to translate to postseason play. The Hoos have lost in the ACC quarterfinals each of the last two years, to No. 3 Florida State in 2022 and Syracuse in 2023. The Cavaliers qualified for the National Invitational Softball Championship in 2022 and managed one win, but the UVA softball postseason history is limited.

In fact, the only time UVA has made the NCAA tournament was in 2010. After receiving one vote in the top 25 poll this week, there is a good chance Virginia will hear its name called in the 64 team field on Selection Sunday to break the 14-year drought. However, there is work to be done before that point, and having a chance to win a conference championship is a significant opportunity to seize. 

The Cavaliers will face the Clemson Tigers on Thursday at 1:30 pm (ACCN) in the ACC quarterfinals in Durham for a chance to advance to the ACC semifinals (Friday at 1pm) against the winner of Duke and Boston College/Syracuse.



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Three Takeaways From Virginia Tech Baseball’s Series Win Vs Cal

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Three Takeaways From Virginia Tech Baseball’s Series Win Vs Cal


Berkley, CA — Virginia Tech won their third consecutive ACC series and have won 9 of their last 12 matchups on the diamond. Despite dropping game three in 9-4 fashion, the Hokies needed this series win and got it, putting themselves firmly on the bubble this week.

There’s plenty of takeaways from the series, so here’s my top three.

No. 1: The Hokies are peaking at the right time

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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column on what the Hokies would need to do to put themselves in position on the bubble, and they have followed that blueprint to a tee.

I stated that the Hokies would need a 15-4 run going down the stretch, and they’re within striking distance, needing to go 6-1 from here on out with four games against non-conference opponents.

They couldn’t afford another series loss in conference, and they haven’t taken one.

With that run, the Hokies — who sat outside of the top 45 — have moved themselves up to 36th in RPI — a firm bubble position — with a three big ACC games remaining and four must-win non-conference games.

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No. 2: Brett Renfrow has found it

What is ‘it’ exactly? Well, he’s the only one that knows.

Over Brett Renfrow’s first two starts in the month of April against Miami and Boston College, he surrendered 12 runs in 11 innings, striking out 10 batters and hurling over 200 pitches in the short time span.

Since then, he’s arguably been the best pitcher in the conference. In his recent three starts, Renfrow has allowed the following statline:

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21.0 IP
3 ER
10 H
6 BB
27 K

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Those numbers bring an ERA of 1.29 and a K/9 of 11.57.

For those of you who are familiar with the K%-BB% stat, Renfrow’s is sitting at 25.9%. For context, Tarik Skubal — who won the AL Cy Young last year — had a rate of 27.8%.

Brett Renfrow getting back to those strong, consistent starts that we’ve seen in the past is something that Virginia Tech desperately needed from it’s ace, and it will be crucial for the Hokies down the stretch.

No. 3: The Bullpen has been much more consistent

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Earlier this season, the Virginia Tech bullpen had a huge issue with blowing leads and losing games.

Against Cal, the Virginia Tech bullpen surrendered just a pair of runs in 10 innings of work.

The highlight of the bullpen as of late has been Chase Swift, who hasn’t given up a run since March 3rd against Marshall. He’s made nine appearances in that time and has posted the following stat-line:

13.1 IP
0 ER
4 H
6 BB
18 K

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Much like with Renfrow, consistency from the Virginia Tech bullpen is going to be key down the stretch, and the Hokies are headed in the right direction.

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West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Lotto America on May 4, 2026

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The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 4.

Winning Powerball numbers from May 4 drawing

30-36-42-60-63, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lotto America numbers from May 4 drawing

09-10-12-50-52, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 3 numbers from May 4 drawing

3-7-6

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from May 4 drawing

4-6-8-6

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Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 25 numbers from May 4 drawing

02-03-09-10-20-21

Check Cash 25 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
  • Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Celebrate bike month with a wild ride at the Virginia Zoo

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Celebrate bike month with a wild ride at the Virginia Zoo


NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia Zoo will host its annual Bike Night on Friday, May 8, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in celebration of National Bike Month. This all-ages event offers guests the opportunity to explore 53 acres of the Virginia Zoo’s beautifully landscaped grounds on designated paths.

This is just one of many events planned throughout the City of Norfolk for National Bike Month.

Animal exhibit trails and the Goat Yard will remain open after-hours, until 7:30 p.m. This unique experience allows visitors to observe animal behaviors after regular operating hours.

Local vendors will also be on hand to assist with bike repairs or accessories.

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Guests can meet Animal Ambassadors for a Zoo Tales story reading at the ZooLive! Stage at 6 p.m. The evening also features an energizing DJ dance party. The Zoo’s young professionals group, GenZoo, will help attendees craft decorations for their helmets. Local businesses like Slow & Steady Bikes and Goods and East Coast Bicycles will offer bike accessories. Community organizations such as Elizabeth River Trail, Visit Norfolk, Spinclusion and Bike Norfolk are also scheduled to attend.

Member tickets for Bike Night cost $8. Non-member adult tickets are $18, and non-member child tickets are $13. Children under two receive free entry, but a reserved “under two” ticket is still required.

The event is likely to sell out, so if you are interested in attending, it’s best to act fast. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at virginiazoo.org/event/bike-night/.

Bike Night will take place rain or shine.

Rules and Safety

  • No Electric Bicycles Permitted (Unless Hybrids with Motors Removed)
  • No skateboards, roller skates, or longboards
  • Helmets must be worn by all attendees under the age of 18.
  • Bikes must be walked on animal trails — no riding.



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