Softball Report Week 3: Hokies Ascend in Athens

By Evan Bainer and Taylor Bretl

After being eliminated by the Georgia Bulldogs from the NCAA Tournament last season, the Hokies returned to Athens this past weekend for the Georgia Classic and took on a familiar foe.

Friday

Radford (W 8-0): Player of the Game - Cori McMillan (2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

Tech started off the weekend with an overall dominant win against the crosstown Radford Highlanders team. Not only did sophomore Cassie Grizzard throw a three-hit shutout game, but junior Cori McMillan led the offensive charge for the Hokies, crushing two homers and knocking in four RBIs. To say the least, McMillan’s efforts helped propel the Gobblers to the 8-0 win.

Georgia (W 5-4): Player of the Game - Addy Greene (2-3, 2 HR, 2 RBI)

In their second game of the day, the Hokies took on the #3 ranked Bulldogs. As expected, this was a tough contest for the maroon and orange. It seemed like the team would fall short once again, when the Bulldogs wiped Tech’s 2-0 lead with three runs in the sixth. But the Hokies powered through, when sophomore Trinity Martin knocked in two RBIs at the bottom of the inning, giving Virginia Tech a 4-3 lead. Senior Addy Greene extended this lead to 5-3 with her second solo shot of the game, allowing the Hokies to hold on for a well-deserved 5-4 win.

Saturday

Georgia (L 5-7): Player of the Game - Emma Ritter (2-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI)

Tech faced off against the Bulldogs once again in their first game Saturday and had a solid day on offense. Senior Emma Ritter knocked in an RBI with a solo home run, and Addy Greene and junior Bre Peck each had a double with an RBI to contribute towards Tech’s five-run effort. This wasn’t enough, however, as Georgia was able to plate seven runs off sophomore pitcher Lyndsey Grein. Grein was handed her first loss of the season, and the Hokies split their set against Georgia with the 5-7 defeat.

Dartmouth (W 6-0): Player of the Game - Emma Lemley (6.0IP, 2H, 0ER, 2BB, 9K)

Coming off the loss to Georgia, the Hokies bounced back in a shutout win against Dartmouth, 6-0. Junior Emma Lemley pitched an absolute gem against the Big Green, striking out nine batters in six innings. The right-hander rebounded and picked up her second win of the season after suffering a loss in a rough outing against Grand Canyon. On top of Lemley’s performance, junior Cori McMillan and senior Emma Ritter each tacked on a two-run home run within the first three innings to give the Hokies a comfortable lead that they would hold onto for the rest of the game.

Sunday

Radford (W 13-1 (5inn.)): Player of the Game - Zoe Yaeger (3-3, 2HR, 5RBI)

Virginia Tech faced off against Radford yet again to wrap up their weekend in Athens, Georgia. The Hokies ended the weekend on a high note with a mercy rule victory against the Highlanders. Freshman Zoe Yaeger was the marquee player in this game after a 3-3 performance with two home runs. The Florida native may be seeing more starting time as the season goes on.

The Week Ahead

Virginia Tech returns to play in Blacksburg this Friday as they take on Notre Dame (8-5) this weekend in their first three-game series of the season. The contest will also mark the start of ACC competition for the Hokies as they look to continue their success. After the series against the Irish, Tech will make a quick trip on Wednesday, March 6th and play a game against Eastern Kentucky. Then next weekend, the Hokies take on their next ACC opponent on the road against Louisville.