Softball Report Week 8: Hokies Hop Back on Track

After a canceled home double header against Wofford, Virginia Tech softball was able to get back on track in matchups against Liberty and NC State after dropping three straight ACC games to the Duke Blue Devils. A successful bounce-back stretch was needed as the Hokies will be facing strictly ACC play for the next couple of weeks.

Hokies - 6
Flames - 5

Player of the Game - Kylie Aldridge (2-3, 2 HR, 2 RBI)

To kick off the four game week, Virginia Tech eked past the Liberty Flames (20-15) winning at home in one run fashion. The Hokies got out to a comfortable three-run lead early on thanks to back-to-back long shots from senior Maija Louko and sophomore Kylie Aldridge. That 3-0 lead would be interrupted in the fifth inning when Liberty center fielder Mary Claire Wilson singled up the middle to cut the maroon and orange’s lead to 3-1. With the sixth inning rolling around, the Flames offense woke up even more, taking a 4-3 lead via a Rachel Craine RBI single, shortly followed up by a 2 RBI double from Rachel Roupe. Running out of innings, the Hokies mirrored Liberty’s three-run sixth inning, and put up three of their own, regaining a lead of 6-4. The long ball continued to be the headline of the day, as those three runs scored came from another solo home run from Kylie Aldridge, as well as a two-run home run from senior Emma Ritter. Despite giving up one run in the top of the seventh, the Hokies would hold on to win 6-5.

Hokies - 0
Wolfpack - 12

Player of the Game - Addy Greene (3-4, HR, RBI)

Coming off a victory on Wednesday, Virginia Tech traveled south into Raleigh, North Carolina for a three game stand with the NC State Wolfpack. The road stretch kicked off slow, dropping the first game, 4-5. Similar to their matchup against Liberty on Wednesday, home runs were the story for both teams in this game, each with two a piece. While home runs were strong contributors to this game, the combination of arms from Virginia Tech’s Emma Lemley, and NC State’s Rylee Wyman took center stage, both pitching complete games.

Hokies - 14
Wolfpack - 1

Player of the Game - Cameron Fagan (2-3, HR, 4 RBI)

Heading into game two, the Hokies flipped the script both offensively and defensively, winning in mercy fashion, 14-1. Virginia Tech would score 10 of their 14 runs in the first two innings, 5 runs each inning. While nearly all of their scoring in previous affairs came from the ball traveling over the fence, that wouldn’t be the case in this matchup. Singles and doubles sprayed all around the diamond elevated 8 of the 14 runs for the Hokies.

Hokies - 12
Wolfpack - 0

Player of the Game - Lyndsey Grein (5.0IP, 1H, 0ER, 2BB, 6K)

The high spirits from Saturday carried over to Sunday where the Hokies would win via a mercy rule yet again. While the bats continued to stay hot, putting up 8 of the 12 total runs in the first inning, the pitching performance from Illinois native Lyndsey Grein was the eye grabber of this game. In her 5 innings pitched, the sophomore pitched a scoreless shutout, only giving up one hit the entire game. That hit came from a single in the bottom of the third from second baseman Kaylee Lambrecht that just landed inside the right field line.

Virginia Tech looks to keep their winning mindset going as they head back home to Blacksburg for a three game stretch against the Boston College Eagles (24-13). The Eagles currently sit at 5-7 in ACC play, while the Hokies sit at 11-4. After the stretch, Virginia Tech will travel north to Charlottesville on April 16 to take on the Virginia Cavaliers (26-12) in a one game stand at 6:00pm EST in the Commonwealth Clash.