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SUMMER 2024 7 cavalier sports E ntering the 2024 season, the Virginia softball team had lofty goals for a pro- gram on the rise, including securing a berth in the NCAA Tournament for only the second time ever. But it wasn't enough to just make the field, the Cavaliers wanted to be playing on Sunday with a chance to advance to a Super Regional. While some said it was aspirational, the Hoos knew it was achievable, but also that second-year right-hander Eden Bigham would need to play a big role in helping the squad hit those marks. The pitcher delivered in spades. Bigham struck out 11 in her first appear- ance of the opening weekend against UNC Greensboro and followed it with 11 more again the next weekend in a tournament at Alabama. The right-hander then struck out a career-high 14 in a complete game shutout of Lehigh that included striking out the first 12 batters faced to earn ACC Pitcher of the Week honors. It was the first of three ACC Pitcher of the Week awards on the season. She continued to raise the bar throughout the campaign, picking up the save in the program's first-ever win over No. 11 Clem- son in the series opener by striking out Val- erie Cagle, the 2023 USA Softball National Player of the Year. It set the table for the program's first series win over the Tigers. Bigham came up big down the stretch, claiming her second ACC Pitcher of the Week accolade after a series win over North Carolina State in which she worked a pair of complete games, including a shutout of the Wolfpack on Friday night. Her third honor came after nine innings of shutout ball in the series opener at No. 3 Duke and a save in Game 2 of a doubleheader the next day when the Cavaliers took down the third-ranked Blue Devils for the first time in program history. Bigham earned first-team All-ACC honors after leading the league in strikeouts during the regular season with 161. "Eden's growth and performance this spring led the way to our NCAA Tournament and regional championship appearance," head coach Joanna Hardin said. "Without question, when she was in the circle for us we had a chance to win every game. What makes Eden unique as well is her fierce competitiveness. "She is not boisterous, so outsiders may not know just how deeply driven she is to win. That drive is critical because the players around her feed off of it. It's impossible to replace that kind of confidence in a pitcher — to know she gives us a chance to beat anyone in the country when she steps on the field." When the Cavaliers heard their name called out on ESPN with the release of the NCAA Regional brackets May 12 — also known as Selection Sunday — it was clear Bigham would likely need to play a big role again if the Hoos were to play on Sunday with a chance for a Super Regional. Not only would Virginia be playing at No. 3 Tennessee, but the Hoos would face one of the most prolific offenses in the na- tion with No. 24 Miami (Ohio) to open the Knoxville Regional. The RedHawks led the country with 159 home runs entering the tournament. Bigham posted complete-game shutouts of the RedHawks in a pair of meetings, limiting Miami to only three hits through 14 innings of work to have the Cavaliers facing the hosting Lady Vols in the regional cham- pionship on Sunday afternoon. And though the result didn't go Virginia's way that after- noon, another big step for the future had been achieved. Bigham was named an NFCA All-Region first-team selection for the second straight season and has hopes high for the Cavaliers with two more years remaining with the Vir- ginia logo emblazoned across her chest. "Looking back on last year makes me re- ally excited for this upcoming year," Bigham said. "It's really sad to think about not playing with the same team but we have so much talent coming back in. I think last season really gave us an idea of what we can accom- plish and gives us something to work for." — Bill Bunting behind the scenes Softball Ace Eden Bigham Bigham earned first-team All-ACC honors after leading the league in strikeouts during the regular season. She finished the year with 182 whiffs. (Photo courtesy UVA)