The No. 20 Virginia Tech Hokies entered this weekend’s Georgia Classic with a 7-2 record, with a chance to pick up more impressive victories on their resume.
On Friday, the Hokies began this weekend’s tournament with a 7-2 win over Seton Hall. The Hokies jumped on the Pirates early, when Jordan Lynch hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning. Tech would score again to take a 2-0 lead. In the third, the Hokies added three more runs, making it 5-0. Lynch and Zoe Yaeger would each drive in two runs for the Hokies, while Sophie Kleiman pitched four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and walking three batters to earn her second win. Addyson Fisher pitched three innings in relief, allowing both of Seton Hall’s runs.
Later on Friday, VT defeated Utah State, 10-3. The Aggies started fast, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, but that would be about it for them. Tech scored a run in each of the first two innings to tie the game before exploding for four runs in the third inning and four more in the fourth to take a 10-2 lead. Nine Virginia Tech players had at least one hit against Utah State, with Kylie Aldridge, Lynch, Emma Mazzarone and Gaby Mizelle all recording two hits. Yaeger drove in four to pace the Hokies.
Avery Layton pitched 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and three runs, while striking out four hitters to improve to 2-0. Bree Carrico was dominant in relief again, pitching 2.2 innings of no-hit ball.
The Hokies were scheduled for two more on Saturday, but the rematch with Seton Hall was canceled due to inclement weather. However, Tech’s game against the No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs went on as planned, and the Hokies shocked the home team, picking up a 9-3 win.
Virginia Tech started fast against the ‘Dawgs, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, as Nora Abromavage blasted a two-run home run. Georgia responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame, but Tech was not phased. After scoring one run on an error, Aldridge doubled to score another in the second inning, making it 4-2.
The Hokies scored another run in the third inning and blew it open in the fourth, scoring four, led by RBI hits from Aldridge and Abromavage. Tech had 11 hits, compared to four for Georgia. Mazzarone pitched a gem, going the distance, allowing four hits and three runs, while striking out nine. She is now 3-1 this season.
Virginia Tech improved to 3-0 against ranked foes already this season and now sits at 10-2 heading into Sunday’s final day in Athens. Saturday was a great day to be a Hokie.
The Hokies took down No. 14 South Carolina twice two weeks ago in the Gamecock Invitational two weeks ago. Can they accomplish the same feat against the Bulldogs in Sunday’s finale?