Hokies Beat UNC to Secure Semi-Final Bid

On Thursday night, the Hokies played UNC for their first ACC tournament game in Brighton, Massachusetts. They won by a score of 4-0 and will play Clemson in the ACC semi-final tomorrow on Thursday.

The Hokies and Tar Heels were all knotted up for five and a half innings until the Hokies were able to get things going in the sixth, driven by a Nora Abromavage two run single.

Emma Lemley got the ball on the mound, throwing seven scoreless innings on her way to her 17th win of the season. She struck out six batters while allowing just one UNC hit in her complete game. 

Offensively, the Hokies were unable to get much going until scoring all four of their runs with two outs in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, pitch hitting Nora Abromavage singled into right field, scoring both Trinity Martin and Layla Blackwell. Cori McMillan followed that with a two run double of her own, making the score 4-0. Zoe Yaeger was the only Hokie with a two hit day, she went 2-3, but did not score or knock in a run.

The Hokies took their time putting runs on UNC Starter Kenna Raye Dark, but eventually did in the sixth, but not without an error that made all four runs that she gave up unearned.

Offensively, there isn't much to mention for UNC. They gave Emma Lemley problems in the first inning after both Lexie Roberts and Kat Rodriguez walked. Other than that threat, they were unable to string anything together.

Nora Abromavage will earn player of the game for her clutch two-out, two-run single. 

Now, you may ask, what will this do for the Hokies chances at hosting?

If you ask me, it all but solidifies them. The Hokies are now 42-10 and have moved up to 13th in the RPI. That resume, along with being projected to host coming into the conference tournament week, should lock them in.

The worst thing that can happen is a single loss to Clemson, who will also have a chance to host. I cannot imagine that the committee would hold that loss against them.