In its last tune-up before a weekend series at No. 15 Alabama, No. 12 Virginia Tech softball dismantled Maryland Eastern Shore 25-0 in five innings on Wednesday.
Virginia Tech set the program record for runs in a game and margin of victory.
It was a game of firsts for the Hokies (23-4-1); right fielder Trinity Martin notched her first career home run and left fielder Sara McNelly knocked her first career hit. Molly Jacobson struck out three batters across all five innings, allowing just one hit and one walk across five innings.
“We scored 25 runs, so that’s always helpful, knowing that I can go out there and just do my thing,” Jacobson told Tech Sideline after the game. “I know that they’re going to be hitting the ball, so that helps me be successful.”
Virginia Tech head coach Pete D’Amour worked in 15 position players, subbing out his starters by the second inning. Michelle Chatfield and CC Fleming split time at catcher and each made their first appearances behind the dish.
“The key for the game was we got two catchers back there that haven’t caught much, and they did fine back there,” D’Amour said. “That was a positive for me.”
Jacobson made her first start since April 4, 2023. After missing the first segment of the season, she has yet to allow a run across her first two appearances.
“It’s exciting,” Jacobson said. “It’s always fun, getting out there again.”
Tech’s offense was sound from the start. The Hokies scored at least four runs in every inning, topping out at 11 runs in the fourth. Chatfield and second baseman Cameron Fagan each scored four runs while McNelly, center fielder Lyla Blackwell and right fielder Cori McMillan scored three.
Chatfield blasted three home runs, bringing her season total to 12. After going 0-for-8 across two games on Tuesday against Longwood, she notched four hits on Wednesday.
“I was just trying to put the ball in play hard,” Chatfield said. “Last night wasn’t necessarily the best game, so I worked on a couple things with my hitting today and went out there with the mentality to just hit it hard.”
Tech tattooed the Hawks’ (6-17) pitching. Ameenah Ballenger threw the first three innings, allowing 14 earned runs. Kylee Lehman allowed 11 in the final inning, although only three were earned.
Wednesday marked the third time this season that the Hokies have scored at least 18 runs. Their 249 runs this season lead the ACC and are 13 more than Georgia Tech, the second-most.
The Hokies will look to continue their offensive hot streak against an even stronger opponent. A two-game road series against the Crimson Tide awaits on Friday and Saturday, an opportunity to add two even stronger wins to their résumé.
“We’re off to the next one,” D’Amour said. “We’re going to prepare like we always do and see what happens.”
Tech will travel to Tuscaloosa to begin its series on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
Box Score: No. 12 Virginia Tech 25, Maryland Eastern Shore 0
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Everyone who got an AB, got a hit. 13 different hitters with at least 1 hit. Crazy.
Will you please find out the status of Rachel Castine?
She is still wearing a brace for her finger so she is several weeks away from playing.
Rachel had a new X-ray this week and it shows some growth in the broken bone but she did not get released to play . They told her it maybe another week or two . The bone in her hand that leads to her pinky was snapped in half . She is anxious to get out there and have some fun with her team.
TWHHOKIE says actually Michelle was 2 for 8 with 2 doubles against Longwood
Check Chatfield’s home run total. I thought she had 10 coming into the game which would give her 13 after.
Game was broadcast on ACCNX; so, watched this onslaught. Technically, game goes in books as 5 innings; in reality, Hokies batted only 4 times. 25 runs over 12 outs; insane. Having played doubleheader w/ Radford day before, I’m sure UMES coach wanted to maximize roadtrip to SWVA and had to know what the team was getting into; but, at some point you almost feel empathy to the UMES players.
“We scored 25 runs, so that’s always helpful…”
This must be the understatement of the year! It’s great to see the non-starters get some action. That’s why these mid-week games are so important.
Yes, there is nothing better than game experience for player development.