Hokies Softball Goes 5-0 To Start the Season, Including Two Wins Against 12th Ranked South Carolina

The Virginia Tech softball team opened the 2026 season this past weekend in the Gamecock Invitational in Colombia, SC. The field consisted of South Carolina and Binghamton, two teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year, as well as Winthrop.

GAME 1:  VIRGINIA TECH  8, SOUTH CAROLINA  4  - NEW FACES, NEW PLACES

The Virginia Tech Hokies began their 2026 campaign facing 12th ranked South Carolina that was one win away from a berth in the College World Series last season. The heart of the Hokie lineup featured key returnees Michelle Chatfield, Jordan Lynch, Kylie Aldridge, and Zoey Yaeger who are expected to help carry the offensive load. However, the starting lineup showed some new faces and old players in new places. Stetson transfer was positioned hitting lead off and playing center field. Gaby Mizelle, playing second base, was the only freshman to start. Kylie Aldridge started in right field while Emma Mazzarone began as the designated player.  The other new addition to the lineup was Nora Abromavage in left field. 

In true two-way fashion, Mazzarone also started in the circle and worked through four innings of two-hit ball. However, she had command issues, and there were too many miscues in the pitcher-catcher exchange. Mazzarone hit two batters in the first inning but escaped trouble.  The second inning was her best:  she struck out the side by leading every batter off with a strike and inducing empty swings, check swings or just freezing the batter looking.

Mazzarone’s control issues caught up with her in the third innings. She missed a couple of close up and in pitches to walk the leadoff hitter Shae Anderson on a 3-2 count.  Facing the top of lineup again, Mazzarone walked Lily Lileo on a 3-1 count but, fortunately, Zoey Yaeger easily threw out Anderson attempting to steal second. Getting that out was huge as the next batter Karley Sheldon lined a pitch up the middle that would have plated a run. Two batters later with a runner on third, a pitch glanced off Yaeger’s glove allowing the runner to score from third. The Gamecocks had broken through to go up 1-0.

Mazzarone pitched four innings and just gave up the 1 run on two hits. She issued 2 walks but struck out 5. Despite random control issues, she threw well enough to give the Hokies a chance to win (threw strikes on 45 of her 78 pitches).

Meanwhile, the Hokie offense that was pretty quiet through the first three innings responded in the top of the fourth. Jordan Lynch laced a 1-out pitch past the leftfielder to the wall for a double. Two batters later, freshman Mizelle delivered a roller up the middle into center field to score Lynch and tie game at 1-1.

Freshman Addyson Fisher relieved Mazzarone in the bottom of the fifth inning but gave up a lead off double to the right field wall and then a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Many of her balls were low which led to another walk, loading the bases with one out.  Gamecock third base Tate Davis then sent a ball off Gaby Mizelle’s glove into center that scored two runs and left two more players at 1st and 3rd. A throwing error by Yaeger on a double steal allowed another run in and the Gamecocks were up 4-1. Fisher settled down to induce fly outs to center and shallow right. 

The theme for the Hokies all weekend was to immediately respond, and their offense did in a big way. South Carolina brought in a new pitcher Emma Friedel, and Kylie Aldridge greeted her with a first pitch home run straight to center field.  Michelle Chatfield beat the shift with a single past second.  After Jordan Lynch was hit in the helmet to put a second runner on, Yaeger walked on four straight balls to load the bases with no out. The stage was set for the freshman Gaby Mizelle who worked a 3-2 count into a walk that scored another run and brought Tech to within 4-3.

Pinch-hitter Lyla Blackwell sent a sacrifice fly to right field foul territory that allowed Lynch to tag from third to tie the game. Emma Mazzarone came to the plate and showed why Coach D’Amour said she needs to be in the lineup more:  Mazzarone sliced the pitch to left field for a 2-RBI triple that put Tech up 6-4.

Annika Rohs put down a bunt and was safe as the first baseman’s foot was off the bag.  When she stole second, the catcher’s throw went off the glove at second base, allowing pinchrunner Jordan Bishop to score. Two batters later, Aldridge sent a double into the center-right field gap off the wall to bring in Rohs, and just like that, the Hokies were up 8-4.

Redshirt freshman Bree Carrico came in the bottom of the sixth inning. While she showed the ability to pitch to a variety of spots, she was missing spots and walked her first two batters and three in that inning. In fact, she fell behind 2-0 to four of the six batters she faced. Still, she threw offspeed pitches for strikes when she needed to and wriggled out of trouble.  Carrico came back out in the bottom of the seventh inning, and it was like she told her pitching coach to just call strikes. She began dealing strikes to move down three of four batters she faced to close out the win for the Hokies.

Overall, the three pitchers Mazzarone, Fisher, and Carrico gave up 5 hits and walked 7, but stranded only 10 runners on base. After a slow start, the offense did its part to deliver an upset of South Carolina to start the season.

GAME  2:  VIRGINIA TECH 4, BINGHAMTON 1 

Virginia Tech’s first game Friday was against Binghamton, a team that made the NCAA tournament last year. Addison Foster, who transferred from Stetson, had faced Binghamton last season and went 1-for-3 with 1 RBI in a Stetson 1-0 win over Binghamton. Familiarity paid off as Addison led off the game with a homer run to right field on a 3-1 count to put the Hokies on the board.

Sophie Kleiman got the start for the Hokies but immediately got into trouble. She hit the leadoff batter and then gave up a double that put runners at second and third. After striking out the next batter, Kleiman uncorked a wild pitch that scored a game-tying run for the Bearcats. Kleiman put a stop to any momentum and settled in.  She allowed a total of three hits while striking out 4 and giving up no walks in 4 innings.

Emma Mazzarone, playing a combination of right field and designated player, homered in the fourth inning to break the tie.  Yaeger added insurance runs in the fifth inning when she doubled in Michelle Chatfield and Jordan Lynch.  Bree Carrico relieved Kleiman in the fifth inning, giving up one hit and striking out three to earn her first save of the year and preserve the 4-1 win for Sophie.

GAME 3: VIRGINIA TECH 1, WINTHROP 0

Freshman pitcher Avery Layton was given the nod for her first college start in the second game  Friday against Winthrop. If there was any question of how she might perform at the college level, Layton put any fears to rest quickly.  She struck out the side swinging in the first inning. In fact, 12 of her first 18 pitchers were strikes. 

Layton was in command the entire night, going the distance for a 2-hit shootout. She gave up 1 walk and struck 9 batters, with 6 of them swinging.

The Hokie bats were largely kept in check as Winthrop pitcher Lonna Addison also went the distance, giving up three hits and two walks while striking out three Hokies.  Tech scored its lone run in the second inning when freshman second base Gaby Mizelle hit a two-out pitch hard toward third, but Winthrop’s Peyton Bryden could not handle the grounder, allowing Mizelle to reach on the error. After Mizelle stole second, Nora Abromavage brought her home with a double to left center.

Layton made the run stand up, not allowing any baserunners after the third inning and retiring the final 14 batters. Mizelle closed out the last remaining hope for Winthrop by making a nice lunging grab on a line drive that was heading for the outfield. 

GAME 4:  VIRGINIA TECH 11, BINGHAMTON 3 (6 INNINGS)

The Hokies played a double-header Saturday. The first game was a rematch against the same Binghamton team that had slowed the Hokies down on Thursday. After 

A day after pitching a 2-hit shutout against Winthrop, freshman Avery Layton was back in the circle starting against the Binghamton Bearcats.  Layon cruised through the first two innings, only giving up a single and hitting a batter across the two frames, while racking up three strikeouts.   The Bearcats struck first in the third inning. After Layton struck out the leadoff batter, she gave up a single and then a walk. A wild pitch moved each runner up a base. Third base Rachel Carey delivered a single that scored both baserunners. Trying to limit the damage, Layton struck out her next batter before giving another single that put baserunners on the corners. A single by DP Lauren Payne scored Carey and put Binghamton up 3-0. Layton got out of the inning with a stat line of 3.0 IPs, 5 hits, 3 earned runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts, and 1 HBP.

Bree Carrico relieved Layton to start the fourth inning and shut down Binghamton over the last three innings, giving up only 1 hit and striking out two.

The Hokies had threatened in the second inning when Kylie Aldridge led off with a triple, but she was thrown out on fielder’s choice to third base. However, once Binghamton grabbed that three-run advantage, the Hokies’ bats came alive in the fourth inning.

In the fourth, third base Jordan Lynch singled with one out and advanced on a wild pitch. Left fielder Nora Abromavage sent a 2-1 pitch over the left-field wall for a 2-run home run. The Hokie bats continued to heat up. Short stop Annika Rohs singled and then advanced to second on a wild pitch before center fielder Addison Foster singled around  Rohs. Designated player Zoe Yaeger brought home Foster to put the Hokies up 4-3.

Tech did not let up in the fifth.  Lynch singled through the right side and then Abromovage doubled to right center. Rohs came through again with another single that scored Lynch. Foster’s single then scored Abromavage, and Tech led by three runs.

The Hokie bats exploded in the sixth inning for 5 more runs. Abromavage’s second homer of the day was a grand slam that made the score 10-3. One batter later, pinch hitter Haley Luginbill, in her first at bat in a Tech uniform, ended the game with a solo homer to earn Tech’s first run-rule victory of the season.

Nora Abromavage was the star of the game with the two home runs on 3-for-4 hitting and 6 RBI. Jordan Lynch went 4-for-4 at the plate and scored 3 runs. Leadoff center fielder Addison Foster went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI. Annika Rohs drove in 1 RBI over her two hits. Kylie Aldridge and Zoe Yaeger also delivered 2 hits each, while freshman Gaby Mizelle added a hit.

GAME 5: VIRGINIA TECH 8, SOUTH CAROLINA 5

Virginia Tech pitcher Sophie Kleiman started the final game of the weekend in the rematch against the host #12 South Carolina and immediately showed signs of trouble.  She gave up a leadoff single, but after getting two outs on a fielder’s choice and a line out to second, Gamecock third base Tate Davis doubled down the line to draw first blood for South Carolina.

The issues for Kleiman continued in the second inning. She gave up a leadoff double to right field and then walked her next batter on a 3-2 count. South Carolina’s right fielder Kai Byars then took Kleiman over the left center wall, and - just like that - the Gamecocks had claimed a 4-0 advantage. Even though Sophie got the next batter out, Tech decided to bring Emma Mazzarone in relief of Kleiman.

Talking about dancing in-out-and-around trouble, Mazzarone spent the next four innings escaping dangerous situations:

2nd Inning:  

• Mazzarone walked her first batter on a 3-2 count
• The next batter Karley Shelton reached on a fielder’s choice on a 3-1 count.
• South Carolina’s Arianna Rodi singled on a 1-0 count to advance the runner.
• Tate Davis grounded out on a 1-0 count.

3rd Inning:

• Mazzarone walked the lead off batter Tori Ensley on a 3-1 count.
• The second batter Lexi Winters grounded out on a 2-2 count that advanced the runner.
• Mazzarone induced a ground ball to Annika Rohs who got the runner out at third. 
• This proved crucial as Mazzarone uncorked a wild pitch that would have scored any runner at third.

4th Inning:

• South Carolina’s Ansley Bennett lined out to shortstop on a 2-0 count.
• The next batter Lily Lilio walked on a 3-2 count and then advanced to second on a wild pitch.
• Mazarrone walked Shelton on a 3-1 count before getting Rodi to fly out on a 3-2 count.

5th Inning:

• The South Caroline leadoff singled and then advanced to second on another wild pitch.
• After striking out the next batter, Mazzarone walked a hitter and then hit another to load the bases. 
• Mazzarone escaped the bases-loaded jam by getting South Carolina to fly out to left field….on a 3-2 count.

Indeed, Mazzarone escaped trouble time and time again. So many of her first pitches were balls. In fact, 48 of her 95 pitches were balls. She walked five batters, hit one, and threw three wild pitches. She had runners in scoring position in every inning.  However, Mazzarone was unflappable. She only allowed two hits and stranded runner after runner to keep South Carolina off the board.

Meanwhile, the Hokie bats responded in the third inning to give Mazzarone support. Addison Foster singled, and, two batters later, Zoe Yaeger sent a 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence that got two runs back in the Hokie ledger. South Carolina changed pitchers, but it did not matter. On the very next pitch, Michelle Chatfield homered to left field to bring Tech closer.  After Kylie Aldridge walked on four straight balls, the Gamecocks changed pitchers again. Two batters later, freshman Gaby Mizelle doubled down the left-field line putting two runners in scoring position with two outs. Up stepped Emma Mazzarone with an opportunity to help her cause. True to form, she singled a 3-2 pitch down the left side that brought home both Aldridge and Mizelle. In the blink of an eye, Tech had scored 5 runs on 5 hits and taken the 5-4 lead.

The Hokies added insurance in the fifth inning. Both Nora Abromavage and Mizelle singled down the right field line to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Three batters later, Addison Foster singled home both runners to extend the Tech advantage to 7-4. South Caroline pulled within two runs with a RBI double in the sixth inning, but Annika Rohs plated freshman pinch hitter Lily Palllante to create more breathing room at 8-5.

Mazzarone gave way to Bree Carrico who pitched the final 1.2 innings for her second save of the year. Carrico once again proved masterful, giving up only 2 hits, walking none, and striking out five Gamecocks (including three straight to end the game). The only blemish was the one run.

PLAYER PERFORMANCES:

Coach D'Amour was confident coming into this season that the program would able to replace the production the team lost to graduation.  Returning pitchers Emma Mazzarone and Sophie Kleiman appear poised to anchor the staff. Both had up and downs, with Mazzarone especially providing two gutsy performances in which she overcame control issues at times.  The offensive lineup showed it is not going to miss a beat and repeatedly responded when the team needed runs. Five players are hitting over .300. Mainstays Michelle Chatfield, Jordan Lynch, Zoe Yaeger, and Kylie Aldridge provide timely hits and power.  Emma Mazzarone and weekend hero Nora Abromavage showed why they are going to be threats to opposing pitchers.  

NEWCOMER WATCH

The Hokies also have a number of new comers, whether transfers or freshman, who shined this weekend. From Avery Layton's 9-strikeout complete game to Bree Carrico's shutdown relief appearances,Tech's freshmen pitchers showed they have the moxie to contribute against tournament teams. Transfer Addison Foster and freshman Gaby Mizzell, inserted into the starting lineup, delivered hits and defensive gems.  Haley Luginbill got in on the action with her game-ending homerun.  Coach D'Amour isn't afraid to play talented freshmen, so it will be interesting to see how much the other new players contributre over the course of the season.

Gabyi Mizelle - Freshman Gabi MIzelle started all 5 games at second base. She is hitting. 375 with 6 hits in 16 ABs.  She has a double to go along with 2 walks. Her efforts led to 4 runs and 2 RBI.

Bree Carrico - Redshirt freshman pitcher Bree Carrico made appearances in 4 of the 5 games, pitching 9.2 innings and earning 1 win and 2 saves. She has given up 5 hits and just 1 earned run for a 0.73 ERA. Carrico has 13 strikeouts against 5 balls, and sports a .152 batting average against.

Avery Layton - Fellow freshman pitcher Avery Layon appeared in two games but her highlight is her 2-hit 6-inning shutout win over Winthrop. Overall. Layton pitched 10 innings, giving up a total of 3 earned runs for a 2.10 ERA. She has allowed 7 hits and 1 walk, but struck out 2. Layton has a batting average against of .189.

Addison Foster - Addison Foster, the transfer from Stetson, started all 5 games in the outfield. She is hitting .368 with 7 hits in 18 ABs.  She had a lead off single in the first South Carolina game for her first hit as a Hokie but then delivered that lead off home run in the first win against Binghamton. Foster has 5 RBI.

Addyson Fisher - Freshman pitcher Addyson Fisher earned the win against South Carolina to start the season. She pitched that 1 inning, giving up the 2 hits, 2 walks, 1 home run, and 2 earned runs.

Haley Luginbill - The UMBC transfer, Haley Luginill made her two appearances so far count. She is hitting 1 for 2 for a .500 average. She hit the home run that ended the second Binghamton game.

Jordan Bishop - Freshman Jordan Bishop has appeared in three games, starting in one. While she does not have a hit yet, Bishop scored a run as a pinch-runner.

Lily Pallante - Freshman Lily Pallante has appeared in all 5 games, mainly as a pinchrunner. She has scored three runs.

Mia Gagliardi - Freshman catcher Mia Gagliardi made 1 pinch hit appearance.

RANKINGS

Following its impressive performance in Colombia this past weekend, Virginia Tech moved up in the national rankings:

D1 Softball moved the Hokies to #14 – six spots up from their pre-season #20 ranking

• #6 FSU
• #11 Stanford
• #14 VT
• #18 Duke
• #22 Clemson
• #23 Virginia

Softball America moved the Hokies #16 –  eight spots up from their pre-season #24 ranking

• #5 FSU
• #12 Stanford
• #16 VT
• #17 Clemson
• #21 UVA
• #22 Duke

WHAT IS NEXT?

Virginia Tech begins its season with a 5-0 showing, including going 4-0 against teams that made the NCAA tournament last year. It beat a higher ranked SEC foe in South Carolina twice, each time coming back and flexing its offensive muscles, defense, pitching depth, and talented newcomers.

The Hokies travel next weekend to Charlotte, N.C. where it will play two games against Villanova and Michigan State, as well as one game against Charlotte. The games begin with a double header on Friday, February 13.

Watch the Youtube Video of the Second South Carolina Game