Missed Opportunities Hurt the Hokies in Series Loss to Yellow Jackets. Virginia Tech Softball Falls to #16

The 11th ranked Hokies traveled to Lynchburg, VA to take on Liberty University before hosting the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets for a weekend ACC series. Note: See the transcripts of media interviews with head coach Pete D'Amour, third baseman Jordan Lynch, and pitcher Emma Mazzarone after game 1 and 2 near the end of the article.

MID-WEEK GAME:  VIRGINIA TECH  9,  LIBERTY  0

The Hokies took on Liberty in a mid-week matchup and immediately set flame to Lynchburg.

Center fielder Addison Foster led off the game with a double to left center. Third baseman wasted no time bringing her home with a 2-RBI home run, her team-leading 13th of the year, that she sent screaming over the center field wall for a quick 2-0 lead.

The same tandem at the top of the order added to the lead in the second inning. Foster drew a walk with two outs, and Foster hit her team-leading 16th double of the season into the left-center gap to score Foster once again to make it 3-0.

The Hokie bats went relatively quiet over the next several innings until left fielder Nora Ambromavage joined the derby party in the fifth inning. She hit her 13th home run of the year to keep up with Lynch for the team lead! The solo shot to left field made it 4-0.

Designated player Kylie Aldridge and catcher Zoey Yaeger both drew walks to put two more batters on the basepaths in the fifth.  Second baseman Rachel Castine then singled to right field to bring home Lyla Blackwell, pinchrunning for Aldridge, for a 5-0 lead.

The Hokies broke the game open in the seventh inning. Blackwell led off the inning with a single past shortstop and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Yaeger then drew a full-count walk. Castine follower with a single to left-center to load the bases with no outs as Blackwell as held at third.

Freshman sensation right fielder Gaby Mizelle smoked her sixth home run of the season, the first grand slam of her career, to extend the Virginia Tech lead to 9-0.

Meanwhile, Bree Carrico got the start and dominated through four innings. Liberty only got more than one runner on base once in the game when it managed to scratch together two singles in the second inning. Carrico put down the side in two other innings. She gave up a total of three hits and did not walk a batter, while striking out four batters. The defense made a number of great plays to back Carrico.

Freshman Avery Layton took over for the final three innings. She struck out one while only allowing one hit to cean her first save complete the 9-0 shutout.

Notables:

• Zoey Yaeger reached safely in all of her plate appearances. She notched two hits and drew two walks.
• Virginia Tech hit three home runs during the game.
• Gaby Mizelle hit the first grand slam of her career. It was her 6th home run of the season.
• Jordan Lynch hit her 13th home run of the season.
• Nora Ambromavage matched Lynch for the team lead with her 13th home run as well
• Bree Carrico earned her 12th win of the year against zero losses.

GAME ONE:  VIRGINIA TECH  10,  GEORGIA TECH  2

Virginia Tech ace pitcher Emma Mazzarone started the first game of the weekend series as usual and immediately ran into trouble. She had trouble finding the play and fell behind the first two batters 3-0. Georgia Tech lead off hitter Alyssa Willer stroked a 3-1 single into right field and followed by a five pitch walk to the second batter Holly Medina.  After a mound visit, Mazzarone uncorked a wild pitch to Gracyn Tucker that allowed the runners to advance to second and third. Mazzarone battled through an 11-pitch at bat that included four foul balls that ultimately resulted in a walk to load the bases with no outs.

Mazzarone fell behind again to the fourth batter but induced Addison Leschber to hit a 3-1 pitch into every pitcher’s best friend - the shortstop to second to first double play. A run scored to give Georgia Tech the lead, but that play seemed to relax Mazzarone. After throwing a first pitch strike, she got the next batter to hit a grounder to third that Jordan Lynch gobbled up and threw to first for the out.

As they have all season, the Hokies responded immediately in the bottom of the first. Lead off center fielder Addison Foster flared a single to left-center. Lynch hit into a fielder’s choice that unfortunately erased Foster from the base paths, and then left fielder Nora Ambromavage worked a walk to put two on with one out. Designated player Kylie Aldridge hit the first pitch she saw for a towering home run over the right field fence to score Lynch and Abromavage and seize a 3-1 lead over the Yellow Jackets

After that shaky first inning, Mazzarone seemed to gain confidence and largely settled down. She struck out the side in the second inning with all three Georgia Tech batters going down on swinging third strikes.

Mazzarone let her defense work behind her in the third when she got the first two batters to hit grounders to shortstop Annika Rohs and second baseman Rachel Castine, both of whom made nice assists to first to get the outs. However, she made life interesting after the third batter reached on a dropped third strike.Two straight wild pitches allowed the runner to move up a base until the Yellow Jackets had the runner at third with the two outs. With Georgia Tech poised to take advantage of the miscues, Mazzarone forced a popup to first baseman Michelle Chatfield to escape trouble.

From there, the Hokies offense put the game away. Foster led off the bottom of the third with a walk to get on base for her second straight at bat. Lynch followed with a single to left field.  After Abromavage hit into a fielder’s choice that took out Foster at third and Aldridge flew out to center field, catcher Zoey Yaeger came to the plate with two on and two out.  She drilled a strike  down the left field line for a double that scored Lynch and Abromavage again! 

Chatfield then reached on an infield error by the third baseman that allowed Lily Pallante, pinch running for Yaeger, to slide in home ahead of the tag. Chatfield moved to second on the throw home.

Castine continued the two-out momentum with a drive up the middle  to score Chatfield. Just like that, the Hokies had scored four runs to take the 7-1 lead.

Mazzarone and the Hokie defense rolled through the fourth inning as she struck out another batter looking, Lynch made a strong throw on another grounder, and Foster ranged over to capture a fly out.

Georgia Tech was able to tack on a second run in the fifth inning after a single, fielder’s choice, and wild pitch moved a runner to third. Another fielder’s choice on a grounder to shortstop allowed that runner to score to make it 7-2. Mazzarone helped herself when a number stopped in front of the plate. She moved in quickly and threw a strike to first to get the final out that was confirmed by review.

The Hokies put the game away in the sixth inning. Castine reached on a throwing out that allowed her to move to second base. Lyla Blackwell came in to pinch run for Castine.  Right fielder Gaby Mizelle hit a sacrifice fly to right field that allowed Blackwell to move to third on the tag up. Mazzarone, pinchhitting for Rohs, hit her own sacrifice fly to center field to bring home Blackwell and give Tech the 8-2 edge.

With two outs, Foster doubled to right field. Lynch then sent the first pitch she saw for a two RBI walk-off home run to left-center to end the game at 10-2 in six innings. 

Mazzarone went the distance for her 11th win of the season. Despite her first inning issues, she only gave up four hits, two walks, and the two runs, while striking out five batters.

Notables:

• Jordan Lynch hit her team-leading 14th home run of the season.
• Kylie Aldridge hit her 7th home run of the year. She has reached base in 27 straight games.
• Per Virginia Tech athletics, Addison Foster leads Virginia Tech in ACC play with a .450 average. She hit her 15th double of the year, tied for second on the team and a career high for her.
• Emma Mazzarone improved to 11-3 on the season.
• Virginia Tech was 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position and only left two runners on base.

GAME TWO:  VIRGINIA TECH  2,  GEORGIA TECH  6

Bree Carrico and the Hokies looked to carry the momentum into the second game on Saturday. However, she was not sharp.

Georgia Tech reached on a one-out single to left center in the first inning. The third batter sent a long drive to center field. With the runner from first attempting to score, center fielder Addison Foster delivered a strong relay to shortstop Annika Rohs, who threw a strike home that erased the runner with a great tag from catcher Kylie Aldridge. After a review upheld the call, the Hokies got the next out to get out of the inning unscathed.

Things got worse in the second inning and third innings. Carrico gave up a leadoff single in the second to left field, but a fielder’s choice wiped out the lead runner when a double play attempt just missed getting the second out. Carrico got the third batter out on a swinging third strike and even got ahead of the next batter 0-2 before. Then the bottom started to fall out. After delivering two straight balls for a 2-2 count, she served up a two-run home run to left-center to give the Yellow Jackets a 2-0 lead.  Georgia Tech then added another run in third when lead off hitter Hilary Willer drilled a home run to left center to make it 3-0. 

Meanwhile, Virginia Tech started missing opportunities despite getting the lead off batter on in what became a theme of the game: center fielder Addison Foster led off the first inning with a four pitch walk as did catcher Zoey Yaeger in the second inning. However, the Hokies could not bring either home as solid drives found defenders’ gloves.

Shortstop Annika Rohs sent a line drive off the pitcher’s glove to reach first safely to lead off the third. Two batters later, third baseman Jordan Lynch launched a long single to right field. Rohs took third while Lynch moved into second on the throw to third. Left fielder Nora Abromavage reached first on an eight-pitch walk to load the bases with one out.

The table was set. Indeed, Zoey Yaeger drew a walk to score a run that narrowed the lead to 3-1. However, her RBI was sandwiched by a strike out and flyout that killed what could have been a bigger inning.

Virginia Tech freshman Avery Layton relieved Carrico to start the fourth inning, and it felt like Layton would hold the Yellow Jackets down enough for the Hokie nats to come to life. Indeed, she mowed down Georgia Tech batters in the fourth, getting two outs via strikeouts. Even when giving up an infield single and a walk in the fifth inning, Layton kept Georgia Tech at bay. 

Unfortunately, Virginia Tech’s bats stayed quiet while the defense unraveled in the sixth inning. After Layton gave up an infield single, an error at third put a second runner on. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third and a walk loaded the bases with no outs.

The next Georgia Tech batter sent a hard grounder up the middle that bounced off Layton’s foot and sailed into the outfield. The hard luck play allowed two runners to score for a 5-1 Yellow Jacket lead.  A grounder to first by the next batter resulted in a late decision on a throw home that failed to prevent another score and a 6-1 margin.

The Hokies tried to respond in the bottom of the seventh inning. Rohs single through the left side hole into left field. Foster followed Rohs with her single to right field. After a Lynch fly out to center field allowed Rohs to move to third, the Hokies had runners at the corner and only one out.

Abromavage hit a sacrifice fly to left field that plated Rohs and closed the gap to 6-2, but it was not enough as the game ended on a strike out.

Bree Carrico took her first loss of the season to move her record to 12-1 on the season. She  pitched three innings and gave up seven hits, three runs, and zero walks, while striking out two. Avery Layton threw the final four innings. She gave up four hits and two walks, while striking out three batters. Only two of the three runs she allowed were earned.

Notables:

• Virginia Tech had not allowed 10 or more hits in a game since May 3, 2026 (courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics).
• Annika Rohs led Virginia Tech with two hits
• Gaby Mizelle hit her 8th double of the season.
• Bree Carrico suffered her first loss of the season. Her record is now 12-1.
• Virginia Tech walked 11 times
• The Hokies were 1-7 with runners in scoring position (RISP) and left 10 batters on base.

GAME THREE: VIRGINIA TECH  7,   GEORGIA TECH  9

As with any loss, the mantra for the softball team is to reset, show resilience, and rebound in the next game. The Hokies went into Sunday’s final game of the series on Sunday with that mindset. Having Emma Mazzarone back on the bound would give confidence that Virginia Tech would take the series.

Unfortunately, Virginia Tech fell behind from the beginning, with several Georgia Tech scoring opportunities coming with two outs. 

The first inning started nicely for Mazzarone. She got the leadoff batter on a swinging full-count strikeout and then induced the second batter to ground you to second baseman Rachel Castine. Trouble followed. Mazzarone fell behind 3-0 to each of the next three batters. The first hit a full-count single to center field. The next batter walked on four straight balls to put two with two outs. Finally, the fifth batter catcher Reese Hunter took a 3-1 pitch over the left-center wall for a three-run home run.

The Hokies looked to respond in the bottom of the first inning. Center fielder Addison Foster drew a four pitch walk. Two batters later, Foster advanced to second on a passed ball, and then left fielder Nora Ambromavage also walked on four straight balls. Another wild pitch moved the runners to second and third. The Hokies had an opportunity for a big inning, especially with Georgia Tech’s starting pitcher Sydnie Watts pitching erratically. Unfortunately, an infield popup and a flyout to right field stranded two runners in scoring position.

Mazzarone settled in over the next two innings, showing improved command in striking out three of the next seven batters with swinging Ks and inducing three infield groundouts. 

Virginia Tech inched closer in the second inning when first baseman Michelle Chatfield led off with a home run over the right field fence to make it 3-1. 

After Georgia Tech extended the lead with a home run in the top of the third, third baseman Jordan Lynch responded with her own long-distance strike to right-center to make it 4-2.

The game turned in the top of the fourth inning. After giving up a walk, two fabulous defensive plays by Hokie infielders, including a ground out to first and throw by Rohs from deep in the hole at short to first notched two outs. The lead off walk had been able to move to second and then to third on each of those plays. The next batter pounded a strike toward third base. Jordan Lynch had to go down to the ground to get the stop; unfortunately, she had to gather herself to make the throw to first from her knees. The batter was called safe, which allowed the runner to score from third.

Facing a 5-2 deficit with the new runner on first and two outs, Virginia Tech brought in Bree Carrico to relieve Mazzarone but she could not stop Georgia Tech’s momentum. The next batter sent a grounder to third that took a bad bounce off Lynch who could not make the play to first. Another hit dropped in center field to score the runner from second and a fly ball over the head to the right field wall scored another run. Virginia Tech found itself down 7-2 after allowing three runs, all with two outs.

Virginia Tech clawed back in the bottom of the fourth when Annika Rohs walked again, with two outs.  Center fielder Addison Foster then drove a triple to center that got past the defender to score Rohs and pull the Hokies back to within 7-3.

Georgia Tech added two more runs on the fifth. Carrico gave up a lead off walk. The runner advanced to second on a wild pitch and then moved to third on a sacrifice to right field. The designated player Reagan Wall then dropped a perfect bunt that died in front of home plate. The throw to first was not in time, and the runner at third scored  The next batter sent a long drive to the right field wall to bring home the second run of the inning and give Georgia Tech a 9-3 lead.

Virginia Tech struck back in the bottom of the fifth. Ambromavage walked, and catcher Kylie Aldridge doubled along the left field line to put runners at second and third with no outs. After designated player Zoey Yaeger walked to load the bases, Chatfield singled through the left side to score Abromavage and Aldridge and close the gap to 9-5.

After Chatfield and Yaeger advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, Castine walked to once again load the bases with no outs. Unfortunately, Mizelle hit into double play to the first baseman who threw home to get Yaeger out at the plate. The opportunity was still there to cut deeper into the Georgia Tech lead as Rohs drew her third walk of the day.  The Hokies could not take advantage of the bases loaded situation.

Meanwhile, the Hokie defense and held Georgia Tech scoreless over the final two frameswith great plays, such as Rachel Castine's converting a double play to erase base runners.

Virginia Tech had a final opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning. After two quick outs, Rachel Castine reached on a full-count walk. Gaby Mizelle then hammered a two-RBI home run over the left-center field fence to pull the Hokies with 9-7.

Annika Rohs drew her fourth walk of the day, tying the Hokie record, and then Addison Foster was hit by a pitch to put two runners on and give Virginia Tech the chance they needed to pull out the win. Unfortunately, the game ended with a groundout to shortstop, and Virginia Tech had lost two straight games for only the second time all season.

Emma Mazzarone took the loss to move her record to 11-4. She pitched 3.2 innings and gave up four hits, three walks, and five earned runs, while striking out four. Bree Carrico gave up four hits, two walks, and three unearned runs in one inning of work.  Freshman Avery Layton had come to pitch the final 2.1 innings and held Georgia Tech at bay, only allowing two walks while striking out one.

Notables:

• Michelle Chatfield hit her 9th home run of the season. She led the Hokies with two hits and three RBI.
• Jordan Lynch hit her team-leading 15th home run of the year.
• Gaby Mizelle knocked her 7th home run off the season.
• Annike Rohs tied a program record with four walks in a game.
• Nora Abromavage extended her reach base safely streak to 16 games (Courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics).
• Addison Foster hit her 3rd triple of the year.
• Emma Mazzarone lost her fourth game of the year to go 11-4.
• The Hokies were 0-5 with runners in scoring position (RISP) and left 8 batters on base.

TEAM STATS / PERFORMANCES

Offensive Rankings

• Virginia Tech is second in the ACC in total hits with 457.
• Tech is 9th in the nation with a batting average of .356.
• The Hokies are third in the ACC with 93 doubles.
• Virginia Tech is third in the ACC and 8th nationally in total home runs with 81.
• Tech leads the ACC in walks with 201.
• Jordan Lynch (3rd), Addison Foster (6th), and Kylie Aldridge (7th) are top 10 in the ACC in hitting doubles.
• Jordan Lynch (6th) and Nora Abromavage (10th) are among the top 10 home run hitters in the ACC

Pitching Rankings:

• Virginia Tech's team ERA of 2.62 leads the ACC.
• the Hokies have given up the fewest hits in the ACC with 220, the fewest runs with 130, fewest earned runs with 109.
• Tech has given up the fewest home runs in the ACC with 24.
• Bree Carrico's 1.44 ERA leads the ACC and is 10th nationally.
• Emma Mazzaron's ERA is 6th in the ACC with 2.74

Fielding Rankings:

• Virginia Tech is second in the ACC in fielding percentage at .975%.
• The Hokies have committed the second fewest errors at 30.

COACHES CORNER - COACH PETE D'AMOUR

Regarding Friday Night’s 10-2 Win Over Georgia Tech

How Did He Think the Team Played Friday Night?

“A win is a win. We played well. We didn’t leave any runners on base. I know that was the question for the last two weeks. Cashed in when it mattered.”

What Was the Difference (Friday) Regarding Runners on Base?”

“Nothing. Nothing. We are hitting .360 as a team, so odds are we are going to be ok. I didn’t say anything to the team about runners in scoring position or on base. Just keep doing what we are doing and it is going to play out in our favor.”

About How Mazzarone Threw Today?

“Average for her, but average is good enough. Had a hard time controlling the strike zone a little bit but got out of our jams. I think the first inning was a key play when we turned a double play with no outs. Limit them to one run. It could have been a lot worse than that. I felt like we stopped the bleeding.”

How Mazz Reset in the First Inning and Beyond?

“I don’t know. She just got more comfortable. Extra seating? Who knows. Something was different today in the first inning and she got back to normal.”

Georgia Tech Center Fielder Robbed Rachel Castine of a Home Run. What Do You Say to the Team?

“You hit the crap out of it and keep doing it. That is a softball play. The thing with us is that we value how hard you hit balls more than we do hits. You hit the ball hard. You hit that one. She made a good play. You come out of there feeling good about yourself.”

Why Don’t You Worry About Letdowns With This Team?

“One game at a time. We preach it from day one. It isn’t even one game at a time. It is one pitch at a time. I told the team after the game that this place is going to be rocking tomorrow and a normal team, that would affect them. It isn’t going to affect them.”

About the Balance Up and Down the Lineup, with Different Players Contributing at Different Times

“Yes. You see the 9 that hit in games but we are 15 deep. It makes a big difference when a pitcher has to battle. You can’t take any hitters off.”

Kylie Aldridge Had the 3-Run Home Run in the First. What Have You Seen From Her?

“Working her tail off to be the best version she can be as a senior. Sometimes, you say I am a very good player as a senior and am going to coast. She did not do that. She is probably hitting in here an hour before the game. That is the way she is.”

What Did You See From Jordan Today?

“I am going to sound like a broken record. A continuation of her career here. She has been a stud from day one, and I expect her to play like that.”

Speaking of Seniors, Rachel Castine is Finding a Way to Contribute

“Similar to Kylie, a fifth year kid who wants to go out with a bang and is having a good year.”

Regarding Saturday’s 6-2 Loss To Georgia Tech

How the Team Played?

“I thought we came out and we played pretty well the first two innings, and we were ready to play. That play at the play kept us in the game, well not in the game, it is the first inning. We hit some balls hard in the first inning. The second inning. I think because the result was not what we wanted, there was a little bit of letdown in the middle innings. We got it back in the seventh, and it was just too late.”

How Bree Carrico Played Today? The Decision to Swap Out Bree for Avery?

“Just not sharp, but it happens. The kid is working her tail off all year. She just wasn’t sharp. Just a different look.”

Avery Layton Holding it Down to Give the Bats a Chance Until the Fluke Play

“I thought she threw well. Throwing low 70s and moving it up and down. That fluke play, the ball was hit hard. I don’t think she can make a play on it, but for the most part she threw well tonight. 

How Has She (Layton) Evolved on the Field?

“Just more confidence. She is a freshman on the number 10 team in the country. She is working hard knowing two kids in front of her are throwing pretty well this year, and she looked really good tonight.”

PLAYER SPOTLIGHTS

Jordan Lynch After Friday Night’s Win

How the Team Played?

“I thought it was great. The bats were hot. The vibes were just really high today. Just a lot of fun.”

Reaction to the Walk-Off Home Run and Your Thoughts During the At-Bat?

“Right when I went up, Coach Pete said ‘hit a line drive to left center’, and I literally..I saw the ball going to left-center and I saw it going over the fence. Dang, I just hit a walk off. I didn’t realize it until I was running the bases. That was awesome.”

About Controlling Where You Hit the Ball?

“Not really. If I pick a location in the field where I want to hit, that is usually when I can hit a pitch that I can drive that way, and I will take ones that I can’t drive that way.”

Having a Great Season but Dealing with a Recent Lull?

“I feel great. I just didn’t let that hold me back. Like yesterday and this weekend, I am just putting it in the past and going back to work.”

What is Making You So Effective in the Field?

“Just confidence. I always tell any pitcher that I got your back.”

Playing Home Games in Front of the Crowd?

“It is amazing. I absolutely love playing at home. TSP is great, and I love our fans. I am so excited to play six more games.”

Up and Down the Lineup People Contributing. Having Balance?

“No matter who is up at the plate, in my head I am thinking they are going to get it done. They are going to do something good. I know they will.”

Game Plan Against Georgia Tech’s Pitcher off the Week Maadeline Johnson

“We practiced hitting off her yesterday, and I think everyone was getting the hang of it. Honestly, just picking a pitch, picking a speed, and just hitting it.”

Emma Mazzarone After Friday Night’s Win

How the Team Played Today?

“I think the team played awesome. Just do it again tomorrow.”

Reaction to the First Inning?

“I think I got sped up. I had to bring it back to square one and try to start over. Bases loaded, not outs, and only giving up one run, I thought that was good.”

What Did the Coaches Say to You?

“Just relax and find a point and reset.”

How About the Hot Shot to Jordan and the One That Went Over Your Head to Jordan?

“Jo is great at third base. She always tells me to let her get it. So, I just try to stay clear of her way because I have a pretty wild arm if you have not noticed.”

About Georgia Tech Players Showing Bunt During a Bunch of At-Bats. Does it Throw You Off? Does it Mess Up Anything with Your Mechanics?

“It does a little bit, but it just lets me know I can attack the strike zone and they can’t do any damage with a bunt. Just trying to go right at them. It is not ‘oh gosh, they are bunting.’ It is just seeing it, recognizing it, just getting over it real fast.”

Zoey Yaeger Talked About Mazzarone Throwing Hard. She Has Wrapping on Her Hand.

“Yeah, she has a little pad on her two front fingers too. She is a tough cookie. She had a good day around the play. Just trying to help her up when we get home. Ice her up.”

What Did You Do to Mentally Reset During the First Inning and Beyond?

“I just wasn’t as focused as I needed to be, so just kind of bringing it back in and being grateful to be out here. Just using my changeup to my advantage.”

Then You Had Your Offense Behind You?

“That is a major part of it. They always say ‘we got you.’ I always say ‘I know that. You don’t have to tell me that.’ It is pretty comforting too when you go out in the field, and you are 8 runs ahead.”

About the Defense Behind You?

“I thought they played awesome. We had good practice this week.”

About Your Control?

Obviously, the first inning was a little out of whack, but I finished with two walks. So, I just kind of got back with it. I know it does not feel like that.”

She Had an RBI Today and Contributing Both at the Plate and on the Mound

“I love hitting , so every time I get to hit, I'm just grateful for the opportunity.

Jordan Lynch After the Saturday Night Loss to Georgia Tech

How the Team Played?

“I mean…I thought we did good. It just didn’t go our way. We hit a lot of balls hard. I am proud of us for that. They didn’t fall but we are going to keep that momentum rolling, keep hitting hard tomorrow.”

What is She Telling the Pitchers When She Brings The Ball to Them?

“I am always telling them to have confidence and that there are 8 other players on the field who have confidence in you. And I am always telling the pitchers that I have their back no matter what.”

Georgia Tech’s Pitchers’ Effectiveness

“They were pounding the zone, and we were not taking advantage of it. We will get them tomorrow.”

Luck Factors Given The Team Was Hitting the Ball Hard, and the Ball Off Avery’s Foot?

“It is just how softball works. This game is very unforgiving and sometimes, you just don’t have the best day. I don’t think it is luck. This is a game of failure. Losses happen. You are not going to go 4-for-4 every day.”

About Layton Holding it Down Til the Bats Got Going

“Avery went out there and did her thing. I am super proud of her. She went in during a tough spot, did what she is good at, and I am proud of her.”

Takeaways from the Game

“We are not going to dwell on it. We are just going to keep hitting balls hard. We hit balls hard all day today. We are just going to remember that and we will keep doing it tomorrow.”

RANKINGS

Virginia Tech is now 5th in the ACC with a 12-6 conference record and a 3-8 overall record. 

The story of both losses can be boiled down to two overall factors:

• Erratic pitching, especially with two outs.
• Missed opportunities on offense, especially with runners on base. The Hokies were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 18 runners on base in the two losses. Missing opportunities with the bases loaded also hurt.

With the series loss, Virginia Tech fell in all four national rankings. While NFCA/GOROUT has the Hokies at 13th, the other three ranking services dropped the Hokies to 16th.

• D1 Softball - 16th - previous ranking 10th
• Softball America - 16th - previous ranking was 10th
• ESPN.com/USA - 16th - previous ranking 10th
• NFCA /GOROUT - 13th - previous ranking 11th

• RPI:  20th
• KPI:  15th
• DSR: 12th

UP NEXT

After defeating Liberty University 9-0 last week in Lynchburg, Virginia Tech hosts Liberty at Tech Softball Park for a return visit in a mid-week matchup on Wednesday, 4/22. The game will start at 6:00 and be streamed on ACCnx. 

The Hokies will then welcome North Carolina for a three-game weekend ACC series starting Friday, April 24. The Tarheels sit 9th in the ACC conference standings with a 9-12 record. UNC’s overall record is 31-14

Game 1 - Friday, April 24 - 6:00 pm - streamed on ACCNx

Game 2 - Saturday, April 25 - 3:00 pm - streamed on ACCN

Game 3 - Sunday, April 26 - 12:00 pm - streamed on ACCNx

UNC’s national rankings:

• RPI: 45
• KPI: 48
• DSR: 40

North Carolina is coming off a 3-game sweep by #10 ranked Florida State. In comparable matchups, North Carolina lost the series against Duke, 2-1, swept NC State, lost 2 of 3 against UVA, and went 2-1 against Boston College.

Offensively, North Carolina leads the ACC with 92 home runs.  The Tar Heels match the Hokies with a .355 batting average.

From a pitching perspective, North Carolina has given 53 home runs compared to Virginia Tech's 24,  The Tarheels are twelth in the ACC with a team ERA of 4.86. Among the pitchers who throw a significant number of innings, Kenna Raye Dark has the best individual ERA at 4.12. Carly Maxton and Kendall Frost have given up 17 and 13 home runs respectively.

Overall, the Hokies have the advantage on the mound while the two teams might be more evenly matched offensively. It is important that Virginia Tech win the series to position itself for an advantageous post-season seeding in both the ACC tournament and NCAA regionals.