After a sweep of Notre Dame to open ACC play, the No. 15 Hokies (15-3-1) travel to Louisville for a three-game series against Louisville (15-5). Inclement weather could be an issue this weekend, but here is the current schedule:
Virginia Tech is coming off an impressive series against Notre Dame in which it scored 29 runs and blasted eight home runs. The Hokies have now hit 40 round trippers this season, led by freshman Michelle Chatfield with eight — four of which have come in her last four games.
The Hokies currently have seven starters hitting .309 or better, led by senior Addy Greene, who leads the team in hitting (.472) and doubles (11).
Tech’s pitching staff limited Notre Dame to four earned runs in the three games and recorded 19 strikeouts. It started a different pitcher in each game of the series, a trend that will likely continue in Louisville. Having two righties and two lefties presents challenging looks for the opponent.
Louisville (15-5) has gotten off to a solid start record-wise, although the NCAA ranks its strength of schedule at 101. Its best win to date was a 5-3 victory over No. 24 Arizona on Wednesday. It also beat Michigan 2-0 in a tournament in Boca Raton on Feb. 17.
The Cardinals lost four of their top five hitters to either graduation or the transfer portal, including five-year starter Taylor Roby, who played 230 games for Louisville (169 pitching appearances, 2.81 career ERA, .312 career batting average). The team’s best hitter, Otis Korbe (.414 average), transferred to Florida while All-ACC catcher Sarah Gorden transferred to Georgia.
However, the Cards were able to land five transfers, including their two leading hitters: Riley Frizell and Chelsea Mack.
Frizell played in over 100 games in three seasons at Missouri but had a career average of .234. However, it appears she likes her new surroundings as she is leading the Cardinals in both hitting (.369) and home runs (five). Mack only saw 13 at-bats last season with Kentucky but has started every game for Louisville and is hitting .364.
Returners Paige Geraghty (.354 average), Daisy Hess (.345) and Vanessa Miller (.309) round out the .300 hitters for Louisville.
In the circle, the Cards are led by All-ACC Freshman Alyssa Zabala, who is having a monster year (9-1, 1.47 ERA). Freshman Brooke Gray, the 2023 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year, has thrown 19 innings and is 101 with a 1.84 ERA.
The Cardinals are coached by Holly Aprile, who is in her sixth season at Louisville. Aprile came to Louisville after a successful 10-year career in Pittsburgh, five as the head coach. She has taken the program to the NCAA Regionals twice, including last season, and has a career record of 144-114 (.558).
Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 15-8 and has won nine of the last 10 meetings.
“Louisville is another good test for us,” Tech head coach Pete D’Amour told Tech Sideline this week. “So far, they seem to have good pitching and their offense looks solid. Like always, we’ll continue to prepare to put the best version of our team out on the field. We’re looking forward to Friday.”
Here is the tale of the tape:
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GO HOKIES!