No. 10 Virginia Tech entered the weekend leading the nation in home runs, and after Saturday’s performance against NC State, it’s a safe bet that it’s still in the top spot.
The Hokies (13-4, 2-0 ACC) hit four balls out of Tech Softball Park which accounted for all of their runs in a 7-3 win over the Wolfpack. Addy Greene led the barrage with two two-run dingers, Emma Ritter added a solo shot and Kylie Aldridge slammed her own two-run blast as the Hokies pulled away late.
The Hokies found themselves behind early when the Wolfpack’s Rebecca Murray hit a three-run home run to left field off of VT starter Lindsey Grein. However, in the fourth inning, Tech freshman Emma Jackson singled to left field and Greene followed with a blast off of the scoreboard to cut the margin to 3-2.
Interim head coach Deven Boland made a pitching change in the bottom of the fifth and Ritter greeted Aisha Weixlmann with a monster blast to left to tie the game.
In the sixth, Kelsey Brown reached base with a bunt single and stole second before Greene put the Hokies in the lead with her second home run to right. After another pitching change, Aldridge created the final margin with her first collegiate home run, a two-run blast.
Emma Lemley, who entered the game in the fifth, picked up her eighth win of the season, holding the Wolfpack scoreless and striking out five in her three innings of work.
Defensively, the Hokies gave both Grein and Lemley solid support in the field. Shortstop Teagan Thrunk made a diving stop and throw early and the Hokies turned a beautiful 5-4-3 double play late.
“I told the team after the game that with the power that we have, we’re never out of any game if we fall behind,” Virginia Tech head coach Pete D’Amour told Tech Sideline after the game. “This is arguably the best defensive team I’ve ever been a part of in all of my years of coaching, and I’ve been around some really good teams.”
But what really stood out to the Hokies’ skipper was the attitude of his team.
“The aspect that impressed me the most today was the overall unselfishness of the team as a whole,” D’Amour said. “Rachel [Castine] gets pinch hit for twice and is cheering on her teammates. Emma Jackson is up and cheering for [Kelsey Brown]. Lyndsey [Grein] was cheering on Emma [Lemley]. Morgan [Overaitis] and Maddie [Hanson] were ready to pinch hit and Meredith [Slaw] was ready for her turn too.
“It’s a concept that every coach overuses, but we really have everyone going in the right direction right now. These ladies are awesome to be around. We’ll try to come out and get another win tomorrow.”
The series concludes Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.
Box Score: No. 10 Virginia Tech 7, NC State 3
Print
Let get 1 more today ladies!
Don’t know what the mechanism is for ESPN Sports Centrer top 10 but Thrunk’s defensive play at short when she laid out full body prone to snag that hard grounder and still have the presence to get the bullet throw over to first had to be top five yesterday. Sad that mostly only Hokie Nation got to see it.
“Center”
It’s a typo big deal I am sure he knows how to spell it..
Agree. Clemson short stop made a diving catch on a pop up. TSquared made a diving catch and made a throw from her knees for the out. This play was amazing!
Excellent little article. Thanks!