No. 13 Virginia Tech Thumps NC State for the Series Sweep

No. 13 Virginia Tech closed out the last of its three game series with a 10-1 win over NC State on Sunday. Tech combined for 27 runs over the weekend, outscoring NC State by 23 as it swept the series 3-0.

The Hokies started out the game with a sacrifice bunt from Cameron Fagan in the third inning, bringing pinch runner Maija Louko in for the first run of the game. NC State quickly answered back with a homerun from Katlyn Pavlick to lead off the fourth, tying the game at one apiece.

Virginia Tech’s Jayme Bailey returned the favor with a shot over the fence in left, bringing in Addy Greene along with her. Momentum cooled until the bottom of the sixth, where the Hokies finally closed the door on NC State with seven runs.

A series of walks from Madison Hanson, Greene, Bailey, and Emma Jackson brought in a run and loaded the bases in the sixth, starting the avalanche of scoring for the Hokies. Teagan Thrunk followed the pack with a single to the right side to bring home two and set a commanding 6-1 lead late in the game.

Kylie Aldridge stepped up next with an RBI slap and Jackson scored on the play. Leadoff Emma Ritter settled in with a single of her own, as Fagan sent one over the left field wall for a two run walk-off homer.

NC State couldn’t overcome Tech’s pitching, piecing together just nine hits over the three game series. Emma Lemley took the circle again on Sunday, completing the game with nine strikeouts. She finishes the weekend with 99 strikeouts this season in 10 games pitching, averaging just under 10 per game.

Tech moves to 14-4 this season and a perfect 3-0 in the ACC. The Hokies will play their next games Tuesday against Mount St. Mary’s with a 4 p.m. doubleheader. They’ll then travel to Boiling Springs, North Carolina to take on Gardener-Webb.