Hokies falter, drop two at Pitt

This past weekend, the Hokies traveled to Pitt boasting a nation high 17 straight wins. Unfortunately for them they would drop two of three and see their first ACC series loss of the season. Let’s dive in.

In the series opening game, the Hokies 17 game win streak came to a streaking halt with a 7-6 loss (9 innings). Emma Lemley had an uncharacteristic performance, giving up six runs across just three innings of work. Sophie Kleiman entered the game to pitch in relief, and she was nothing short of spectacular, pitching 5.2 innings and surrendering just one run, but that one run ended up being the losing run. Offensively, the Hokies did what they usually need to do to win a ballgame, putting up six runs with 10 hits across its nine innings. Kyle Aldridge and Jordan Lynch were the only Hokies to have multi-hit games, combining to go 5-8 with four RBI and three extra base hits, including a home run from Jordan Lynch. Cori McMillan also tacked on a home run of her own. Player of the game honors will be given to Jordan Lynch for her fantastic outing.

In the series’ second game, the Hokies broke and bent records, hitting 11 homers on their way to a 21-0 (5 innings) win. Emma Mazzarone and Cassie Grizzard split the pitching duties 2.1-2.2 innings respectively, combining for five scoreless innings. That’s not the story, though. The Virginia Tech offense had 11 home runs across nine players, giving the Pitt pitching staff nightmares. They cycled through three pitchers, with the last one throwing four innings and giving up 13 earned runs. Player of the game will go to the entire team for this one, given it’s record breaking performance against the Panthers.

In the series finale, the Hokies looked to Emma Lemley in the circle to lead them to the series win. Unfortunately, the Hokies ace had trouble establishing a rhythm, giving up five earned runs in 5.2 innings. Sophie Kleiman also gave up a run without recording an out before Cassie Grizzard recorded the final out for the Hokies. Offensively, the Hokies had trouble jumping on Pitt starter Kyra Pittman, who threw seven innings and surrendered just two earned runs in their win. Michelle Chatfield had a solid outing, going 1-3 with a HR and three RBI, Virginia Tech’s only three runs. She will get player of the game honors for her performance.

Despite entering the weekend as one of the hottest teams in the nation, the Hokies were handed a humbling reminder of how unpredictable ACC play can be. While Game 2 showcased their explosive offensive potential with a record-breaking performance, inconsistency on the mound and at the plate in the other two contests proved costly. Emma Lemley’s struggles highlight the importance of depth and stability in the circle, while Sophie Kleiman’s strong relief efforts provided a silver lining. As Virginia Tech looks ahead, this series serves as a valuable learning experience — emphasizing the need to maintain focus, adapt quickly, and bounce back from adversity as the postseason approaches.